Introduction
If a species is not adapted to its environment, it will not survive. Organisms will die before reproducing. This can eventually lead to the species becoming extinct. A species becomes extinct when there are no more individuals of that species left anywhere in the world.
You will choose an extinct organism. You will then use your research skills to find out:
- when and where the organism lived
- what evidence exists to prove the organism existed
- why the organism became extinct
- how the organism would have needed to adapt to survive.
You will be using your literacy skills to produce a factsheet, for other students, about the extinct organism.
Task
You are going to produce a factsheet for other students about your chosen extinct organism.
Your factsheet should:
- contain a labelled picture of your chosen organism describing its characteristics
- state where and when the organism lived
- provide evidence for the existence of the organism
- explain why the organism became extinct
- suggest how the organism should have adapted to enable it to survive
- fill one side of a sheet of A4 paper
- use appropriate language that can be understood by people who have no scientific knowledge.
Process
Step 1
Research the following topics:
- what your chosen organism looked like
- when and where the organism lived
- what evidence exists to prove the organism existed
- why the organism became extinct
- how the organism would have needed to adapt to survive
Step 2
Find an appropriate picture of your organism. Add labels to describe its characteristics.
Step 3 (extension)
Suggest the steps scientists could take to try to prevent the organism becoming extinct if it was alive today.
Step 4
Plan appropriate sub-headings to structure your factsheet and the important information you want to include.
Step 5
Make your factsheet.
Sources
Extinction and the fossil record
This website contains an introduction to extinction and the fossil record.
www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/edexcel_pre_2011/environment/
evolutionrev6.shtml
Extinct animals
This website contains information on a number of extinct species of animal.
www.animal.discovery.com/extinct-animals
Extinct and endangered animals
This website contains lots of information on extinct and endangered animals, as well as causes of extinction.
www.oum.ox.ac.uk/thezone/animals/extinct/
Preventing extinction
This website contains information on endangered animals and methods of preventing extinction.
Evaluation
You have now made a factsheet for other students about your chosen extinct organism.
Look at the questions below and check you have met all the criteria given in the brief.
- Does your factsheet contain a labelled picture of your chosen organism describing its characteristics?
- Have you stated where and when the organism lived?
- Have you provided evidence for the existence of the organism?
- Have you explained why the organism became extinct?
- Have you suggested how the organism should have adapted to enable it to survive?
- Does your factsheet fit onto one side of a sheet of A4 paper?
- Have you used appropriate language that can be understood by people who have no scientific knowledge?