Zoo Habitat Project

Driving Question: How can I design a zoo habitat that is safe and appropriate for a tiger, but is also safe zoo guests?

Objectives:

Students will be able to:

1) Identify and describe food, water, and shelter as three important parts of habitat;

2) Describe the importance of good habitat for the tiger;

3) Demonstrate his/her understanding of the engineering process, resulting in a safe and appropriate habitat for the tiger and zoo visitors

Part I: RESEARCH  - team work

1.      Choose an ecosystem: Rainforest, grassland, tundra.

2.      Find your tiger: Determine which type of tiger lives in that habitat within the ecosystem.

3.      Find details about the habitat, including climate, plant life, and location.

4.      Research information about your tiger and how it lives in this habitat (diet, communication, community, and survival/hunting skills).

5.      Resources: Write down your resources, including the speaker at The Memphis Zoo (Farshid) and Mr. Ryan McDaniels, Senior Engineer from A2H. 

Part II:  REPORT –  some independent work
Use your research to write a two paragraph report about the habitat and tiger, including a bibliography.

·         The research will be worked on at school with your group.

·         The final draft written at home.

Part III: HABITAT – team work
You and your team will use the engineering process to brainstorm, plan, and create your zoo habitat. We will build it in the Innovation Lab.

·         Your project must be three-dimensional.

·         Your habitat should demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of your tiger’s zoo habitat, including safety for the zoo visitors.

·         You will include your blueprints (brainstorming and design) as part of your project.