Thursday, 24 October 2013

UPDATED: Grade 7 Science Assignment and Project Discussion Thread

Comment here to post your questions. Comment on the comment to help each other out.

17 comments:

  1. With the diorama I was talking to you today but I'm still a little confused on what we are supposed to do for the written part of the project?

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  2. For the written part of the project, you certainly need to write about how your bio-invader will impact your ecosystem. I am also looking for you to reflect on how humans do/would/could affect the ecosystem. You will also need to write about your creative process in the creation of the diorama.

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  3. Regarding science project on development. There is a marsh draining/highway, and then a dam.

    Not clear: do we choose a threat, assume both will happen? We have to develop plans based on the thread, hard to know .

    Olivia MC

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    1. The dam is optional, depending on your character's perspective. If your character requires a dam, you may assume it is a hydro-electric dam (rather than just a blockage), but either way the water levels will rise quite a bit. Students should then anticipate (depending where the dam is located) that the edges that mark the body of water would expand outwards.

      Each choice you make has positive and negative outcomes. The challenge is to place of the structures to match your character, and then consider the overall impact on Dragonfly Pond, especially on the marsh itself. There is no right or wrong response.

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  4. I want to show biotic and abiotic elements above water so can I show my diorama from a side view to show the two levels of my diorama?

    -Erik k

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  5. Do we have to make herds of animals that are the same or can we just put one of a specfic species?

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    1. That it up for debate. The space in a shoebox is limited, so a herd of elephants may not be practical. It can also be expensive, and the cost of any school project should be as low as possible. However your diorama may centre around a herd of biotic components to make a point; again a creative choice. Perhaps placing one or two, but making reference to it being a herd in a legend somewhere, is the best compromise.

      Next double-period class will feature a slide show of examples from previous years.

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    3. About how many biotic components should be in the diorama? Because at the moment I have only collected 13

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    4. Try for 15-20. It is not the quantity, but the quality. Having representation of organisms that make up the food chain as well as the food web is more important. Further, be sure to have a variety of primary and secondary consumers, producers, scavengers and decomposers, as well as carni- herbi- and omnivores.

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  6. OTHER QUESTIONS EMAILED

    Diorama: What are we supposed to write for the museum plaque thing?

    At a museum, each artifact on display has an information card. This would be the best means to explain where your biome is located, as well as some of the information and interesting facts about it. You may also describe your creative inspiration and process. Limit this to 1 solid paragraph.

    DFP: Do I choose one of the options and then layout my plan for the town, or do we have to go with the compromise choice?

    Consider the perspective of your character and bias your response towards them. This assignment is designed for you to feel like pulling at your hair trying to reach a compromise. In most land-use and zoning debates, there are winners and losers, and it seems that ecology is often on the losing side of development.

    DFP: Where is the highway going exactly? Through the marsh?

    This is entirely up to you. Some students are opting to extend the highway further than the strip provided. Consider that the highway connects your DFP to another local town, thus it is important to have. It is also important for you to have an "off ramp" to it. Furtheermore, you have to lay out some roads in DFP.

    If you opt to place the highway across the pond or marsh, be sure to reflect and consider the impact of placing such a structure in that area.

    DFP: Where are the two urban cities?

    These would be on either end of your highway.

    DFP: Where is the valley?

    The valley is not well marked on the diagram, and you may leave it out for the sake of the assignment. Some students have included the valley as a feature in their park (woohoo sledding!).

    DFP: How are people voting on the use of the marsh?

    This is where your letter to the mayor comes in. Once you lay out your city, you write your letter to the mayor explaining why the city should have the layout. Almost all of you have a unique character profile, so we could anticipate almost 40 unique designs, if not all 58.

    DFP: Can I not include the highway?

    No dice. All the buildings and structures must be included (refer to the hair pulling comment).

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  7. Just a Question. how would one display written components along with the diorama

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  8. Easiest way would be to cut it out neatly, frame it was construction paper, and post it on the side (not the back) of your box.

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  9. the food web i got just says coral reef do i have to make it a specific coral reef (like great barrier reef)?

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  10. Yes; in your museum plaque you would describe features of your biome. Hint: use your geography terminology (all of it as applicable).

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