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Welcome to A. Blair McPherson School's
Welcome to A. Blair McPherson School's
7th Annual
7th Annual
MARCH ANIMAL MADNESS!
MARCH ANIMAL MADNESS!
What is March Animal Madness?
What is March Animal Madness?
)This is agrade 9 student inquiry project between language arts and science where students become science communicators by championing an animal and teaching others about it. To do so, students must research 5 topics/questions related to the grade 9 science curriculum, then present each question in a different written format to support presenting ideas and information in the grade 9 language arts curriculum. Species are pitted against other species and the adaptations and topics are voted on....with the best set of asaptations and information moving on to the next round.
The animal that survives each round (Rd1 -' Welcome to the Jungle', Rd2 - 'Surivial of the FIttest', Rd3 - 'Elite Trait'. Rd4 ' Roar of the FInal Four' and even the Zombie Pick)....to win the Championship and the "Golden Moose" trophy!
What is March Animal Madness?
What is March Animal Madness?
This is a student inquiry project in grade 9 science. Each student (or team of students) identifies an animal to study and research a wide range of information. This may include (but NOT limted to):
conservation status
range
structural and behaviourial adaptations
ecological niche
conservation efforts
predator/prey relationships
Which Species Have Participated in March Animal Madness Previosly?
Which Species Have Participated in March Animal Madness Previosly?
What topics/questions do we have to research?
What topics/questions do we have to research?
Topics include conservation status
range
structural and behaviourial adaptations
ecological niche
conservation efforts
predator/prey relationships
Students are presented with 5 questions to drive their research. The questions below are randomly chosen in advance for students to research, write up and complete prior to the tournament.
What are structural and/or behavioral adaptations your organism has to interact with members of its own species?
What are structural and/or behavioral adaptations your organism has to hide within its environment?
What are structural and/or behavioral adaptations your organism has to obtain food/ingest food from within its environment?
How effective is your animal is in adapting to its environment?
Why is your species THE MOST IMPORTANT animal in its niche (describe relationships within its habitat)?
How is a champion decided?
How is a champion decided?
First of all...if you are learning, then you have already won! This is all about learning about the natural world and the amazing life that we have on Earth! The goal is to go home and share a cool fact around the dinner table, or impress your freinds with what you have learned!
Animals are seeded based on the submission of their Animal Entry Balots, Once all ballots are recieved, species are grouped into four categories based on a trait/characteristic or commonality, with the ballor recieved first being seeded first overall, and so on until the bracket is full.
Once animals are placed there will be a school wide animal revewl where students can then start promoting tehir animals with print ads, videos and 'Door to Roar" classroom presentations. Students write their research in a way to garner votes from classmates, teacher and people beyond the school. Students are ecnouraged to campaign for their animal,
Animals advance to the next round based on votes. If votes are tied, MAM directors will decide the winner based on submitted writing. Once an animal is eiminated, their writing is to be completed as 4 eliminated animals will reenter the competition at "The Final Herd" stage. as a ZOMBIE pick! MAM directors will select the returning animals (up to 4 return as zombies).
Student and staff voting will decide the Champion(s)!
What resources can I use to help in the process?
What resources can I use to help in the process?
Learn More About Animals!
Learn More About Animals!
Smithsonian's National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute
Alphabetical list of animals, birds and reptiles with good descriptions about each.Animal Diversity Web
Animal Diversity Web (ADW) is an online database of animal natural history, distribution, classification, and conservation biology at the University of Michigan.Wikipedia
General animal information. Search by name. Look at the info on the right hand side of each animal page....conservation, classification and so, so much more!Encyclopedia of Life
Provides knowledge of the many life-forms on Earth - of animals, plants, fungi, protists and bacteria.Biodiversity Heritage Library
The BHL portal provides free access to hundreds of thousands of volumes, comprising over 57 million pages, from the 15th-21st centuries. In addition to public domain content, BHL works with rights holders to obtain permission to make in-copyright materials openly available under Creative Commons licenses.IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Includes details profiles of species, as well as links to other information sources.Mammals - National Geographic
Uses science, exploration and storytelling to provide information about mammals.
Learn more about your favorite animals
Just the Zoo of Us (PODCAST) Find your animal, give a listen….what a great way to learn about your animal! .
How Stuff Works - Animals
Fun facts about animals and more.Extreme Science
A place online to find the biggest, baddest and the best in the world of extremes and learn about the science behind what makes each the most extreme example of its kind.
Smithsonian National Zoo-facts facts and more facts!
PLOSable Biology
Ask A Biologist is intended to serve grades preK-12, and to be available as a resource for teachers and parents. Topics include animals, biomes, birds, and plants.WoRMs: World Register of Marine Species
The aim of a World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) is to provide an authoritative and comprehensive list of names of marine organisms, including information on synonymy. While the highest priority goes to valid names, other names in use are included so that this register can serve as a guide to interpret taxonomic literature. Also includes an excellent photogallery
Names of males, females, babies and groups of animals
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