Name _______________________________________________ Date ______________ Class __________

Introduced Species
The Invasive Species Project - Menu of Options
Directions:
The Invasive Species Project is a research assignment that we’ll be
working on throughout the rest of the Ecology unit.

You and your partner have a wide variety of options to create in

order to demonstrate your knowledge of an invasive species. If you
are working with a partner, remember that communication and
collaboration are vital to good teamwork. Each person is
responsible for an equal share of the work. Some of you might be
asked to work independently or might choose to work
independently.

Different project options have different point values. You must complete enough projects to earn
80 – 100 points. If you try to earn 80 points, the highest grade you can receive is a B. If you try to
earn 100 points, the highest grade you can receive is an A. Full credit will only be given for
outstanding work. Fewer points will be assigned for incomplete and/or inadequate projects. Neatness
counts.

Project choices are listed below with the total possible points. (You may offer an alternative project or
alterations to those listed below. If accepted, it will be assigned points.)

Projects are due at the end of the Ecology unit (Act. 88). We will have specific project work days
throughout the unit but you and your partner might have to do some work outside of class.

Plan ahead to make sure you can get your project(s) completed in time!

PROJECT OPTIONS
For each of the 80-100 point projects below, make sure you include all the following information
from the introduced species graphic organizer (Student Sheet 73.1):
o Name of species
o Distribution: where is it from? Where, when, and why was it introduced? Where can it be found
today?
o Effects on people: How do people interact with this species? What, if any, consequences are
there for humans?
o Effects on ecosystem: What changes have been observed in the ecosystem since the species’
introduction? How have other organisms been affected?
o Food Web: What position does this species have in a food web? How has it changed the
ecological balance of the food web since it was introduced?
o Reasons for success: What information can you find about the species that might explain why it
is successful in its new environment? (e.g. habitat needs, role within ecosystem)
o Issues for the future: Are there attempts to control the growth or spread of this species? What
are the options? What are the trades-offs of each of these options?
 Worth 100 points each
(Choose one of the options below):
☐ Newspaper Article
 Imagine you are a newspaper writer. Create a three-page newspaper describing an invasive species,
its effects on people, and people’s reactions to it. You must include all of the information from the
graphic organizer. Be sure to also include some photographs in your newspaper.

☐ Google Slides Presentation

 Create a Google Slides presentation that educates people about an invasive species. You must have at
least 6 slides and a title slide (one for each of the sections of your graphic organizer. Include relevant
pictures, diagrams, and/or graphics.

☐ Public Service Announcement

 Create a PSA (public service announcement) or infomercial about an invasive species. This PSA
should include all the information from your graphic organizer.
 You must turn in a script of all the dialogue and the PSA must last at least 90 seconds.
 You have the option of using your phone/tablet to record the PSA or of presenting it live during class.

☐ Mural
 Create a three-foot long mural that at least two invasive species in its ecosystem. Create a name for
your mural. Your may paint, draw, or even cut out pictures to create your mural. Your teacher will
provide the 3-foot paper but you must provide the rest of the materials.
 Write a detailed description of the invasive species that includes the information you researched in your
graphic organizer. Your description must be typed and in size 12 font to be displayed next to your
mural.

Worth 80 points each

(Choose one of the options below AND consider choosing one of the 20 pt. projects):
☐ Comic Strip
 Create a comic strip about your invasive species. Your comic strip must be neat, colorful, entertaining,
and informative. Describe how (where, when, why) the species got introduced into the area and its
effect on the organisms in the area.
 Beware of getting caught up in the drawing. Remember it must include all the information from the
graphic organizer. Text boxes and captions are just as important as word bubbles/ thought bubbles.
 If you need comic book paper, ask your teacher.

☐ Song/ Rap
 Write a song or rap about Invasive Species. The song must have at least three verses and a refrain.
You must include key information from your graphic organizer in this song. All lyrics must be typed and
turned in.
 You have the option of using your phone/tablet to record the song or of presenting it live during class.
 For each of the 50 point projects below, make sure you include all the following information from
the introduced species graphic organizer (Student Sheet 73.1):
o Name of species
o Distribution: where is it from? Where, when, and why was it introduced? Where can it be found
today?
o Effects on people: How do people interact with this species? What, if any, consequences are
there for humans?
o Effects on ecosystem: What changes have been observed in the ecosystem since the species’
introduction? How have other organisms been affected?

Worth 50 points each:

(Consider choosing two of these options)
☐ Monuments
 Draw or paint two monuments that would show two major effects of an invasive species on an
ecosystem or on people. Include a “plaque” that states the names of each monument and explain what
each monument represents. This plaque must also describe the species’ distribution, effects on people,
and effects on the ecosystem.
☐ Map
 Draw a detailed map on an invasive species invading a certain ecosystem. This map must have a
color-coded key that shows how the invasive species has spread over time. Include a written
description of the species’ distribution, effects on people, and effects on the ecosystem.
☐ Before & After Picture
 Draw a before and after picture of an ecosystem – before the invasive species took over and after the
invasive species took over. Include a detailed caption for each picture that describes the species’
distribution, effects on people, and effects on the ecosystem.
☐ Diorama
 Create a diorama of an ecosystem, using a shoebox. This diorama must depict the invasive species
and how it has affected other organisms in the ecosystem, including humans. Include a typed, detailed
caption for your diorama that describes the species’ distribution, effects on people, and effects on the
ecosystem.
☐ Test
 Create a test that you would give to 6th grade students concerning an invasive species. Include at least
10 true or false questions, 10 multiple-choice questions, and an essay question.
 Provide an answer key to your test. Make sure you include a detailed description of why that answer is
correct and how you know it is correct.

Worth 20 points each:

(Choose one of the options below AND some other options for a total of 80-100 points)
☐ Graph
 Create a graph of what happened to the ecosystem due to the invasive species. Show how other
species have increased or decreased as a result of the introduction of the invasive species.
 Consider whether a bar graph, line graph, or pie chart is most appropriate for your data.
 Include a title, label, and/or a key for your graph.
☐ Timeline
 Create a timeline of an invasive species effect on an ecosystem and include a prediction for the future
of the species.
☐ Poem
 Write a poem about the invasive species. The poem must be at least 10 lines long and you must
include an illustration with the poem.