Introduction
You are a young cryptozoologist working for the International Museum of Cryptozoology.
Eager to prove yourself to the museum director, you volunteer to go on an expedition around the world in search of legendary creatures.
"If you are successful," the museum director hints, "there might just be a promotion in it for you."
Task
The task, should you choose to accept it, involves the following:
- Virtually travel to the destination assigned and search out the desired creature (through the Internet)
- Using the notebook provided, make a full report including
- name(s) of the creature
- unique characteristics
- where it can be found
- Make a detailed color sketch of what the creature looks like in the space provided. Be sure to fill the space.
Process
Destination #1: North America
Head to the Pacific Northwest to look for the elusive Big Foot. Talk to the locals to find out where Big Foot has been sighted and what other names the creature goes by. Remember to note any unique characteristics and make a sketch for the museum records.
Destination #2: South America
Now, it's south of the border in search of the Chupacabra. The museum has arranged a local guide to help you track down the creature. Once you've located it, make note of how large its territory might be, any unique characteristics, and when you spot one, draw its likeness for the record.
Destination #3: Europe
The museum director is impressed with your work in the Americas and has decided to send you across the Atlantic to the European continent in search of a Basilisk. Be forewarned, this is a very dangerous and tricky beast. If you are lucky enough to be able to observe it, remember to make a full record of its habitat, its special features, and don't forget that sketch!
Destination #4: Africa
Hopefully, you are rested up from your last adventure and ready to put your thinking cap on. This next creature may not seem ferocious, but it is indeed quite lethal. This time you must rely on your brain, not your brawn. You are off in search of the mysterious Sphinx. If you are clever enough, it may just give up its secrets, like where it can be found, its distinctive characteristics, and might even pose for you.
Destination #5: Asia
Congratulations! You have come halfway round the world, and done excellent work for the museum. The museum director has set you one more task. If you are successful, it could mean a promotion. You are off to our largest continent in search of not one, but two beasts. This first you will find in the Middle East region; an ancient creature known as the Lamassu. When you've completed your report (location, names, distinctive features, and a drawing), proceed on to the Far East in search of the Kappa. Beware, this is a tricky beast. Find him, complete your report with sketch, and get ready to return home.
Destination #6: Returning home
Feeling weary, but excited to return to the museum with your reports you settle in for the long flight home. An hour into the trip, a large hurricane is reported directly ahead, and your pilot is forced to land and take shelter on a remote island. Bored with waiting around, you decide to explore a little when suddenly you see something move out of the corner of your eye. Curious, you go after it to get a better look. When you come upon it, you are shocked to discover a new beast that has never been seen before. Grabbing your notebook and your pencil, you quickly make a sketch, take notes on its behavior and being its discoverer give it a name.
Evaluation
| Excellent | Fair | Needs improvement | |
| Written Notes | All criteria are answered: name(s), location(s), unique features. Writing is neat and spelling is correct. | Most of the criteria is answered. Writing or spelling could use some attention. | Much of the information requested is missing. Writing is illegible and/or spelling errors are present. |
| Sketch | A detailed, full color sketch is included that fills the given space. |
Drawing needs one of these: more color more detail to be bigger |
Drawing lacks two of these three components: color detail size to fill space given |
Conclusion
What an adventure! You return home having completed all of your assignments and as a bonus, you've discovered a new creature. You are the talk of the town, and your excellent work has earned you the title of Chief Cryptozoologist. Well done!
Credits
California Visual Arts State Standards:
5.2 Research how traditional characters (such as the trickster) found in a variety of cultures past and present are represented in illustrations.
5.3 Create artwork containing visual metaphors that express the traditions and myths of selected cultures.