EXTINCTION GROUP RESEARCH PROJECT TEACH THE CLASS

THE PROJECT REQUIREMENTS Your group must work together as a research team and become experts on a given topic/question. You will research your topic and prepare to teach the rest of the class. Your finished project must include: Class presentation ~ 5-10 minutes A thorough and detailed explanation of your topic Visual aides to help the class understand what you are explaining This may be done digitally (Google slides) or using a poster board Statistics, graphs, and/or specific examples Tentative Due Date: Presentations will begin Tues./Wed.

GRADING RUBRIC The strength of your presentation is measured by the quality of your teaching to the class. In other words, your project should be very easy to understand, of high quality, and thorough (don’t leave out important details). Your goal is for the entire class to completely understand your topic and have all of their questions answered by the end of your presentation. The other groups will be taking notes as you teach and will be able to ask questions.

GRADE BREAKDOWN Total project is out of 40 points Oral presentation is organized, easy to understand, and between 5-10 minutes = 10 points possible Visual Aides are of high quality, appropriate, and help with the explanation = 10 points possible Content of the presentation is complete, specific, and accurate. Group is able to answer all questions = 10 points possible Overall rating of your explanation = 10 points possible Total project is out of 40 points

#1 TYPES OF EXTINCTIONS Compare and contrast background and mass extinctions Include: Definitions Similarities Differences Causes Timelines Examples

#2 HOW ARE FOSSILS FORMED? Some questions to consider: What conditions are needed? What type of rock are they found in and why? Are there different kinds of fossils and, if so, why and what are they like? Explain what the chances are of you becoming a fossil and walk us through the steps needed to fossilize.

#3 AGING FOSSILS Explain how index fossils are used to determine the relative age of fossils Teach us how to find the exact age of fossils using Carbon dating You’ll need to include a summary of isotopes and radioactive decay (half-life) Show us how to calculate the age of an example fossil using Carbon dating

#4 EXTINCTION RATES Explain to us what the normal extinction rates have been throughout history and compare it to the extinction rates we are seeing today (use statistics and graphs) Explain any possible human correlation to these rate changes including the impact humans have had on other species. In other words, what are we doing that is leading to the extinction of other species?

#5 THE 6TH MASS EXTINCTION Explain why many believe we are entering into a 6th mass extinction now What evidence do they use to justify this conclusion? What responsibility, if any, do humans have? (consider the carrying capacity of earth in regards to population size and use of resources) Check and see what would happen if everyone on earth lived like Americans and how this would change things. Is there anything we can do to change this?

#6 HUMAN EXTINCTION If humans suddenly went extinct (only us) what would the world be like? Make a timeline of how the world and other species would respond to our absence. Be specific and detailed giving a clear timeline of expected results from day 1 to 1,000 years later