In this activity, you need to find reliable internet or library sources about how group behavior affects an individual's and a species' chances of surviving and reproducing.
All animals are well-adapted to their habitats. Their adaptations can be structural, behavioral, or reproductive. But all of them serve to help the animal survive or reproduce. In this activity, you will focus on the behavioral adaptations of animals that live in groups.
In Part 1, you will start by finding websites with information you can use. The questions in Part 2 will help you take notes. In Part 3, you will prepare a presentation of your research.
Part 1: Identifying Sources (5 points)
1. List at least five terms from the introduction (or based on what you already know about your animal or group behavior) that you can use as keywords in your search. (1 point)




2. Identify at least two websites or other sources you will use to start your research. If you end up using other websites or sources to answer the questions in Part 2, add them to this list. Cross out any websites that don't end up helping you complete the activity. (2 points)











3. Evaluate two of the sources you plan to use. Explain why each source seems credible and likely to contain accurate information. Evaluate the arguments they present. Do the arguments seem to use logical reasoning? Are they supported by evidence? (2 points)
















Part 2: Performing Research (15 points)
Use the websites you listed in Part 1 to answer the following questions. Remember to add any new sources you use to your list.
4. Which animal species did you choose? Where does it live? (1 point)






5. Describe your animal. What kinds of adaptations does it have? How do those adaptations help it survive? List at least one of each type of adaptation: behavioral, structural, and reproductive. (3 points)





















6. Describe the group structure of your animal in detail. Describe its group behaviors. Include evidence to support your answer. (5 points)











7. Explain how the group behaviors affect both the individuals in the group and the species' overall ability to survive. (4 points)











8. Evaluate the merits of the arguments you read about your animal's group behaviors. Were they supported by evidence? Was there enough evidence to support the cause-and-effect relationship between each behavioral adaptation and its effect on survival? (2 points)











Part 3: Preparing a Presentation (15 points)
Imagine you are making a video to educate people about the importance of group behaviors for your animal's survival. Your project should include two parts:
Write out the script for the video. Be sure that the focus of the script is how the group behaviors have helped your animal survive individually and as a species. Be sure to include data or information to support your statements, and be sure to cite those sources.

You know that people, including scientists, will comment on your video. They may have some very difficult questions for you about how the evidence you present supports your ideas. Write out three questions that could come up and how you would answer them. Include at least one question that attempts to challenge your presentation and findings.
As you are developing your project, be sure to include these aspects:
A description of your animal and its group structure (3 points)

How its adaptations help it survive (3 points)

A logical and reasonable argument about the effects of group behaviors (3 points)

Evidence to support your argument (3 points)

Questions that clarify how your ideas are supported by evidence (3 points)