DINOSAUR PARK

Introduction

It's the year 2050. Technological advances have given birth to the cure of AIDS, cancer and many other life threatening diseases. Technology has also assisted in world peace and global warming. The latest progress, however, is the the development of a fully functional time machine that is capable of taking passengers and unlimited cargo across time and space!! You have been carefully chosen to embark on a journey through time. Your mission is to bring back various dinosaurs that will become the feature exhibits in the recently established wildlife park located somewhere in the United States (you, as the expert will decide the location). You will decide the best location based on the environment and resources available. This is an extremely dangerous mission, filled with many unanswered questions. The Board of Directors of this establishment is counting on you to make this park a safe and wonderful place for both spectators and dinosaurs.

The Task

The task is tremendous and has many people wondering if this can be done safely. The public is very concerned that the dinosaurs will not be satisfied with the park surroundings or their food source will run out. It is up to you to do proper and detailed research to avoid another Jurassic Park disaster. This project will be a lot of work but also a lot of fun for everyone. While deciding which dinosaurs to bring through time many things will need to be considered. As you journey through the steps in the process, you will need to make a list of criteria for consideration. This should include many things. Some of them are listed here to get you on the right track.

1. Weather. Is it the same as what the dinosaur lived in? Are there large seasonal variations? Is the temperature the same in the mountains as it is in the valleys?
   
   
2. Topography. What is the general topographical layout of the location picked for the part? Where are the various lakes and rivers? What kind of plant life is predominant? Are there a lot of forested areas? Is the region similar to what the dinosaurs lived in previously?
   
   
3. Food sources. Does the area have enough of the plants and trees for your herbivores to exist? Will the Park Board need to implement new programs to subsidize the plants? Is there enough meat for the carnivores to survive in the park? If not, what would you suggest the Park Board begin stocking to assure adequate balance?
   
   
4. Anotomy and physiology of your dinosaurs. You will need the information discussed in the Process section for your fact sheet.

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The Process

1. You must research the United Sates for an acceptable area to build your park. You will need to know something about the climate, the terrain, water access, mountainous areas, plant life, etc... This information will allow you to be sure the dinosaurs that you choose to bring to the park will have conditions similar to what they lived in years ago.
   
   
   
2. You will keep an individual journal (in a notebook or on the computer) and help answers any questions and to track your daily progress.
   
   
3. You need to create a scale model of the park. In order to have it be realistic, make sure that you research your topic well.
   
   
4. Research and choose 2 herbivores, 2 carnivores, and 2 animals of flight to include in your park. This will allow for a good mix and allow the park to stay in a natural balance and flourish for many years. Turn in a sheet that shows what dinosaurs you chose from each category. Turn in by day 3.
   
5. Prepare a written report for the Park Board. In this report, you will have to defend your dinosaur selections. Convincing the Park Board will not be an easy task, be prepared for questions!
   
   
6. Prepare a dinosaur fact sheet on each species chosen. This should include, but is not limited to the following: Name, photograph, time period the dinosaur lived in, eating habits, where it lived, size, and weight. In this fact sheet you should include the definitions of the words on this page that appear in red (9 words total). Using these definitions, together you will also create a crossword puzzle that your classmates can complete.
   
   
7. Prepare the final PowerPoint presentation for the Park Board (classroom). You must use everything you have done in your presentation. Present the information collected in your written report via oral presentation (using PowerPoint), and discuss, with reference to the scale model, where exactly your dinosaurs will live in the park and why.

Evaluation

The grade of your presentation will be determined by the following scoring system.

Components	Excellent  (150-125)	Good (124-100)	Incomplete/Unacceptable (99-75)
Oral Presentation Due the end of Day 10 Created using PowerPoint 30 points	The presentation was clear and easily understood. The presentation was informative, persuasive and creative, incorporating all components of the project.	The presentation appeared at times unorganized. Visual aids were not used to their fullest potential. Some of the arguments presented by the board were not sufficiently addressed.	The presentation showed little to no prior preparation. Visual aids were not used. The presentation was confusing and hard to follow.
Report Due the end of Day 6 25 Points	The report shows that you assessed, evaluated and used a variety of information and sources to come to your final decision. The criteria used was applicable to the task.	The report has some inconsistencies as it relates to the subject matter. The information was sometimes hard to follow.	The report was unclear and confusing, lacking adequate information to draw an acceptable conclusion.
Fact Sheet Due the end of Day 4 20 Points	Fact sheets are informative, accurate, descriptive and useful. Fact sheets incorporate visual aids to enhance understanding.	Fact sheets have some errors relating to specific information. Few visual aids are incorporated.	Fact sheets are inaccurate. They have few, if any, visual aids.
Text: Grammar and Spelling 20 points	No misspelling, grammar or punctuation errors are evident.	A few words are either misspelled or misused. A few grammar or punctuation errors have been found.	Numerous spelling, grammar and/or punctuation errors are evident.
Individual Journals Due the end of Day 10 20 Points	The journals shows that you assessed, evaluated and used a variety of information and sources to create your new kingdom through numerous daily entries. The criteria used was applicable and all tasks were completed.	The journal has a few daily entries. Journals have some inconsistencies relating to the subject matter. The information was sometimes hard to follow.	The journals were unclear and confusing, lacking adequate information to draw an acceptable conclusion. Several daily entries not made.
Crossword Puzzle Due the end of Day 7 10 points	Includes all words that were required. Definitions were all correct and all words were spelled correctly.	Includes all words that were required. Definitions were mostly all correct and all words were spelled correctly.	Words were left out and definitions were not correct.
Scale Model Due the end of Day 10 25 Points	Model is visually appealing with precise and accurate detail. Model shows an in-depth, creative style taking into account both terrain and species.	Model depicts a small number of inaccurate representations of the terrain and/or species. Creativity and detail is adequate.	Model lacks appeal, detail, creativity and design layout. Model is unspecific to the project.

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• The PowerPoint presentation is free of grammatical and/or spelling errors and outlines how your park will run, what dinosaurs you picked to bring to your park and why, and how you will keep the community safe. 
• Park report
  • give a detailed explanation of your park
  • how will your park be set up
  • explain why you choose the area
  • what is the climate, temperature, and topology like
  • explain security and feeding
  • how will visitors view your exhibits
  • list resources
• Dinosaur Fact Sheets includes:
  •  2 herbivores, 2 carnivores, and 2 animals of flight
  • image showing what the animal looked like
  • time period in which that animal lived
  • climate in which the animal lived
  • are neat and orderly
• An Individual Journal detailing your progress from day to day
• Create a replica of your Dinosaur Park

Congratulations!!!! The mission has been accomplished. Dinosaur Park is filled up and running smoothly. Thanks to your hard work, it has been a successful assignment. The dinosaurs that you chose have all been doing well in the park.  It is very interesting doing the research to try and place an animal properly in captivity. Hopefully, you learned a lot about dinosaurs during the project and had a good time doing it. This was so successful that the Park Board has been approached about additional parks.

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