Penguin Exploration

This webquest is about penguins.  Students will choose one penguin to research.  They will use that research to create a presentation about their penguin.  They will present their research presentation to the class.  Their classmates will use the presentation rubric and score the presentations.

Standards

VT Science Standards:
S2-3:30 Students demonstrate their understanding of Structure and Function-Survival Requirements by:
-Identifying how the physical structure/characteristic of an organism allows it to survive and defend itself.
Science Concept:
a. Organisms have characteristics that help them find what they need to survive in their environment and provide for their survival:
- Defense
- Obtaining food
- Reproduction
S2-3:31 Students demonstrate their understanding of Reproduction by�
� Investigating and describing a plant or animal life�s cycle.
Science Concept:
a. Although all organisms have common stages of development, details of a life cycle are different for different organisms.
S2-3:35 Students demonstrate their understanding of Food Webs in an Ecosystem by�
� Recognizing that, in a simple food chain, all animals� food begins with plants.
AND
� Researching and designing a habitat and explaining how it meets the needs of the organisms that live there.
Science Concept:
a. Food for animals can be traced back to plants.
b. Organisms can survive best only in habitats in which their needs are met.
S2-3:36 Students demonstrate their understanding of Equilibrium in an ecosystem by�
� Explaining how one organism depends upon another organism to survive.
Science Concept:
a. Organisms interact with one another in various ways besides providing food
S2-3:39 Students demonstrate their understanding of Evolution/Natural Selection by�
� Identifying differences in characteristics of a certain type of organism (e.g., dogs with long hair or short hair; humans with blue or brown eyes).
Science Concept:
a. Organisms of the same kind differ in their individual characteristics (traits).

National Standards | Life Sciences Level I (Grade K-2)
Standard 5
� Knows that plants and animals have features that help them live in different environments.
Standard 6
� Understands relationships among organisms and their physical environments.
� Knows that living things are found almost everywhere in the world and that distinct environments support the life of different types of plants and animals.

Technology � ISTE-NETS for Students:
1. Creativity and Innovation
Students demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge, and develop innovative products and processes using technology.
2. Communication and Collaboration
Students use digital media and environments to communicate and work collaboratively, including at a distance, to support individual learning and contribute to the learning of others.
3. Research and Information Fluency
Students apply digital tools to gather, evaluate, and use information.
4. Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making
Students use critical thinking skills to plan and conduct research, manage projects, solve problems, and make informed decisions using appropriate digital tools and resources.
5. Digital Citizenship
Students understand human, cultural, and societal issues related to technology and practice legal and ethical behavior.

Credits

Images:
askovich.com
astro.uchicago.edu
debbieschlussel.com
denverlibrary.org
grist.org
http://www.toughpenguin.com/
shabbykitteh.blogspot.com
sites.fcps.org
udel.edu
www.bbc.co.uk
www.enchantedlearning.com
www.glogster.com
www.kombine.net