Introduction to Biology

Environment Case Study

In order to apply knowledge about ecology and environmental biology, students will work in groups to prepare and present a case study on ecology and/or the environment drawn from "The National Center for Case Study Teaching in Science" case collection. These case studies are designed to be used in classrooms, so they may be presented in a variety of ways:

Students may present the information given in the case study, then present their conclusions.
Students may present the information given, then ask the class to draw conclusions, guiding the discussion using their knowledge of the topic.
Students may ask the class to divide into groups and discuss one or more aspects of the case, then direct a discussion or debate among the groups.
Students may present the information bit-by-bit, asking the class to draw conclusions for each part as it is presented.
Students may design their own format for presentation using the information in the case study.

Case study presentations will be graded as follows:

Presentation 35%
- Organization
- Clarity
- Overall presentation quality (visuals/class activities/special features)
Content 60%
- Covers some major points of ecology or environmental biology
- Demonstrates student understanding
Group process grade 5%