Download Ecologyproject2009FORD

Biology Department
Lane Technical High School
2501 West Addison Street
Chicago Illinois, 60618
Ecology Research Report
Parents, our student needs your assistance!
Your child will be performing an inquiry-based research project on ecology and will be utilizing a variety of
involvement strategies that will require your input and support. I am asking that you help your child take his or her
classroom learning about this topic to a higher level, and make real world connections by incorporating independent
Internet research while collaborating with us on this project. This is what professional biologists do! Your help is
vital in insuring your son or daughter's success during each phase of this project.
I. Ecology Research Report
Each student will complete an “Ecology Research Report.” All research reports will be graded and given a percent
grade based on the percentage of correctness and adherence to the guidelines for formatting the reports. You must
use Internet resources for the research of ecology. Be certain you follow all formatting guidelines and your research
report is 100% complete with 100% accuracy. Your Ecology Research Report will be due at the beginning of
your class period on Tuesday, June 2nd 2009
II. Research Report Format
1. All research reports must be submitted with a word processed title page.
Each report must contain a word processed “Table of Contents” listing the page numbers of each chapter’s
research data and drawings. Format the research data in regard to ecology on the Table of Contents page in the
following order:
Chapter 1. The Biosphere
Chapter 2. Species Niche
Chapter 3. Symbiosis Among Species
Chapter 4. Community Structures
Chapter 5. Primary Succession
Chapter 6. Secondary Succession
Parents: Students should
Chapter 7. Energy Transfer Through and Ecosystem
work on SEVERAL
Chapter 8. Food Webs Vs. Food Chains
CHAPTERS per week to
Chapter 9. Terrestrial Ecosystems
complete the project on time!
Chapter 10. Aquatic Ecosystems
Chapter 11. Biogeochemical Cycles
Chapter 12. Population Size, Density and Dispersion
Chapter 13. Factors That Limit Population Growth
Chapter 14. History of Human Population Growth
Chapter 15. Current Environment Issues
2. Each chapter must contain a minimum of one page of information regarding the chapter’s topic(s). This
3.
4.
5.
6.

information must be in your own words and must describe the structures and functions for that
chapter’s topic. NOTE: Single-spaced type will only be accepted using 12 pt. Corel WordPerfect or Microsoft
Word standard font. For example, this type was generated using Microsoft Word Times New Roman 12-point
font. Using greater pt. nonstandard fonts will result in an un gradable report. If you do not have the resources to
type or generate via word processing equipment, you will need to investigate the resources available to you at
school or your local library.
Each chapter will contain at least one hand-colored drawing in color using colored pencils, not markers or
crayons, on unlined white paper. Your drawings must be neat and labeled in the manner demonstrated for you
in class.
All research reports are due at the beginning of your class on Tuesday, June 2, 2009 You will be afforded NO
time at the beginning of class to complete, collate or bind your reports. If your research report is not ready to
submit when you are asked for it, you will receive a ZERO credit for it. No late work will be accepted for any
reason!
Finally, you must include a page of References that provides the reader with information regarding the Internet
sites you used for EACH CHAPTER of your report. Simply state the chapter numbers and names with a list of
the Internet site(s) for each. Note: Each chapter must contain at least two Internet resources.
Complete your work on your own! Do not work in groups, pairs or with students from other biology instructor’s
classes. Failure to comply will result in a failing grade and disciplinary action.
Plan ahead! Do not wait until the last minute to complete your learning activities. Electricity fails, printers run
out of ink, and illnesses occur. Nothing absolves you of your responsibility to successfully complete your
Ecology Research Report at the designated time. Letters from parents or community leaders will not absolve you
from your responsibilities.
VI. Format Example for Organizing Your Research Report
Table of Contents
Chapter 1. The Biosphere
Chapter 2. Species Niche
Chapter 3. Symbiosis among Species
Chapter 4. Community Structures
Chapter 6. Secondary Succession
Chapter 7. Energy Transfer Through and Ecosystem
Chapter 8. Food Webs vs. Food Chains
Chapter 9. Terrestrial Ecosystems
Chapter 10. Aquatic Ecosystems
Chapter 11. Biogeochemical Cycles
Chapter 12. Population Size, Density and Dispersion
Chapter 13. Factors That Limit Population Growth
Chapter 14. History of Human Population Growth
Chapter 15. Current Environment Issues
References
Instructions and Signed Parent Questionnaire
Page 1
Page 3
Page 5
Page 9
Page 12
Page 14
Page 15
Page 17
Page 19
Page 21
Page 23
Page 26
Page 29
Page 31
Page 33
 Page numbers will vary from
project to project.
 Be sure to list each journal
entry separately.
 Begin numbering your pages
after the ”Table of Contents”
page!
In addition to discussing the general structures and functions in each of the above chapters, you should
also discuss the following features in your chapters:
Chapter Title
Topics You Should Include in Your Discussion
The Biosphere
Biotic and abiotic factors; the five levels of the biosphere
Species Niche
Tolerance; acclimation; narrow and broad niches; the niche
Symbiosis Among Species
Symbiosis via predation, competition, mutualism, commensalism,
and parasitism
Community Structures
Species richness; species area effect; community stability
Primary Succession
Process of primary succession
Secondary Succession
Process of secondary succession
Energy Transfer Through and Ecosystem
Energy importation through producers, consumers, herbivores,
carnivores, omnivores, detrivores, and decomposers
Food Webs Vs. Food Chains
Trophic levels; energy pyramids; compare and contrast food webs
and food chains
Terrestrial Ecosystems
Seven major biomes
Aquatic Ecosystems
Ocean and freshwater zones
Biogeochemical Cycles
Water cycle, nitrogen cycle, carbon cycle, phosphorous cycle
Population Size, Density and Dispersion
Population dynamics of size, density and dispersion
Factors That Limit Population Growth
Limiting factors; population regulation; functions of the
exponential and logistic models for illustrating population growth
History of Human Population Growth
History and future of human population growth
Current Environment Issues
Choose any one of the following and discus its cause(s) and
effect(s): History of mass extinction; earth’s climatic changes;
global warming; declining ozone; biodiversity crisis; or see me
for approval of an issue you want to discuss that is not listed.
VII. Organizing Your Pages
Ecology
Research Report
Table of Contents
Chapter One
By
The Biosphere
Your Name
Period _ Biology
Date
Lane Technical High School
2501 W. Addison
Chicago, Illinois, 60618
Mr. Christopher A. Dignam, Instructor
1
At least ONE PAGE of
research on the chapter
that is in 12 point,
single-spaced, standard
font following the
chapter’s title page.
2
At least ONE PAGE of
research on the chapter
that is in 12 point,
single-spaced, standard
font following the
chapter’s title page.
5
Hand-drawn color
illustration(s) for the
chapter.
Chapter Two
Species Niche
3
4
Student Research Project Checklist / Scoring Rubric
Parents and Students, please complete the checklist together,
 Check as you verify that each of the following procedures was successfully completed. Any inaccuracies
that occur in regard to your verification of the following procedures will greatly impact your grade.
Organization
Current Environmental Issues
History of Human Population Growth
Factors That Limit Population Growth
Population Size, Density and Dispersion
Biogeochemical Cycles
Aquatic Ecosystems
Species Niche
The Biosphere

Place a
checkmark in each of
the corresponding boxes to
denote the successful collection
of data for each of the following:
Terrestrial Ecosystems

Food Webs Vs. Food Chains

Energy Transfer Through an Ecosystem

Secondary Succession

Primary Succession

My report was completed using single-spaced, 12 point standard font.
My report has been collated in a three-hole punched, clear-cover folder, with three bend-over metal tabs.
I have accurately constructed a cover page as directed in class.
I have included an accurate table of contents in my report.
I began numbering in the center of each page after the table of contents.
I have included a reference page with at least two Internet addresses for each chapter.
I have included the parent questionnaire with signature(s).
Community Structure

Symbiosis Among Species

My research was successfully completed
and typed according to the instructions
for the following chapters.
High quality professional looking
illustrations that support and enhance the
text are included for the following
chapters.
Parents and students, please sign below as verification that you have collaboratively
completed the Student Research Project Checklist / Scoring Rubric
Student’s Signature________________________________________________________Date___________
Parent’s Signature________________________________________________________Date___________
IX. Parent Questionnaire
The responsibility for completing the assignment and meeting the requirements and deadline is the student’s. I
am asking my students’ families to take responsibility for actively supporting and helping. After your
son/daughter/ward has explained and discussed the project with you, please answer the following
questions:
1. How many days after the date of this letter did your child ask for your participation and help?
(Circle one): 1 2 3 4 5 or more
2. Did you have any problems with helping your son/daughter with their project?
(Circle one): Yes No
If yes, what difficulties did you have?
3. What suggestions can you make in regard to this assignment?
4. After reviewing your son/daughter’s work, what grade do you think your child deserves on this
Project, based on interest, participation, and performance? (Circle one): A B C D F
______________________
_________
Parent’s signature_______________________________________________Date___________________
Thank you for your help.
James W.Keating, Biology Instructor
When you have completed this sheet, your eager biology student will place it in his or her project folder.
X. FINAL REPORT ASSEMBLY
Signed Parent Questionnaire
Pages.
 Place your pages in a clear-cover report folder
 Pages must be three-hole punched and in a
folder with three bend-over metal tabs.
 Clamp type folders are not acceptable
Signed Parent and
Student Research Project
Checklist
Internet References
for each chapter.
15 Chapters
1. Typed research data.
2. Hand-drawn illustrations
with appropriate labels for
required chapters.
You will repeat this process for
each of the FIFTEEN
CHAPTERS!
Table of Contents.
Ecology
Research Report
By
Your Name
Period _ Biology
Date
Cover Page with
Graphics, Title,
and Class
Information.
Note: This page
shows through the
clear plastic cover.
Clear Plastic
Report Cover
Lane Technical High School
2501 W. Addison
Chicago, Illinois, 60618
James W. Keating, Instructor