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Introduction

Not only have the computers gone crazy, but the world is in total chaos!  The arrival of the new millenium has brought rapid, unusual changes in animal behavior.   Scientists aren't sure why this is happening, but one thing they do know is that the animal kingdom has been affected by Y2K.  Crazy creatures are everywhere as a result of, what scientists believe to be, crossbreeding. This phenomena has peaked the interest of the general public.  Your local community, Parks & Recreation, and the Town Planning Committee all agree that this phenomena could bring a lot of money and value to your town.  Therefore, plans are under way to build a giant zoological theme park, called The Y2K Terrestrial Zoo Theme Park, where these new creatures may be featured.

You have been chosen to be a member of the Y2K Zoo DesignTeam.  This team is composed of Subject Matter Experts (SME) in zoology, Instructional Designers (ID), Zoo Planners, and Public Relations (PR) Specialists.  Your team's first mission is to conduct research so they may acquire enough information about these creatures and their habitats.  Next, you will use this information to develop an enclosed animal habitat that will allow both the creatures to survive as well as provide an educational, entertaining learning environment for the general public.  Finally, your team will pitch your zoo theme park ideas before the Town Planning Committee and Parks & Recreation.  Good Luck!
 

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Task

1. Research the habitats, behaviors, characteristics, and adaptations of the animals responsible for the reproduction of your crossbred Y2K creature.
2.  Based on your team's research, draw a picture of your Y2K creature and its habitat using the Crazy Creature Information Sheet.  Rename and reclassify each Y2K creature into The Animal Kingdom.
3. Design a map or a blueprint of your section of the Y2K Terrestrial ZooTheme Park. Be sure to include the locations for your creature's animal display and habitat, a souvenir shop that will sell gift items specific to your section of the park, a restaurant or snack vendor, a ride, and a petting zoo (if appropriate).
4.  Design an educational display using HyperStudio to provide information about each animal and their habitat.  This will appear at the entrance to each section of the zoo theme park.
5.  Design advertising for the zoo (brochures, one-minute radio ad, news ad)
6.  Design 2 rides (one adult, one kiddy) for your section of the zoo.
7.  Design a sample menu for a restaurant or snack vendor that will be located in your section of the zoo. (include the name of the restaurant, description of food items, and prices)

• an observation journal complete with diagrams, drawings or pictures of your Y2K creature, and detailed information regarding your creature's habitat, behaviors, characteristics, and adaptations.
• a model or visual representation (blueprint, map)of the section your team is proposing to develop.
• an educational display that would appear in front of your habitat to inform the public about the classification, habitat, behaviors, characteristics, and adaptations of your creature.
• sample designs (prototype artifacts) for thematic souvenirs, food items to be sold by snack vendors, and ride(s) that will be included in your section of the zoo theme park.

Resources

• Fish (http://www.yahooligans.com/Science_and_Nature/Living_Things/Animals/Marine_Life/)
• Amphibians (http://www.yahooligans.com/Science_and_Nature/Living_Things/Animals/Reptiles_and_Amphibians/)
• Reptiles (http://www.yahooligans.com/Science_and_Nature/Living_Things/Animals/Reptiles_and_Amphibians/)
• Birds (http://www.yahooligans.com/Science_and_Nature/Living_Things/Animals/Birds/)
• Mammals (http://www.yahooligans.com/Science_and_Nature/Living_Things/Animals/Mammals/)

• http://mmm.arizonaguide.com/out_of_africa/index.html: learn about animal behavior from the Out of Africa Wildlife Park in Arizona
• http://www.ahandyguide.com/cat1/a/a808.htm : list of links to almost anything you could think of concerning animals
• http://www.tigerden.com/Animals/ : index to animal related sites
• http://netvet.wustl.edu/ssi.htm : an electronic zoo site- links to picture galleries and animal sounds!
• http://www.learner.org/content/k12/jnorth : Journey North, a site dealing with wildlife migration
• http://www.teleport.com/community/schools/Milwaukie_HS/Internet_Lesson_Plans/Frog_Pict.html/lessonfrogs.html : Frogs and other amphibians are the subjects of this site.

Walt Disney World - Magic Kindgom Park Map - http://www.disney.go.com/DisneyWorld/ThemeParks/disney_magic_kingdom_map.html

Walt Disney World - Epcot Map - http://www.disney.go.com/DisneyWorld/ThemeParks/disney_epcot_map.html

Walt Disney World - Asia - http://www.disney.go.com/disneyworld/asia/index.html

Walt Disney World - Disney-MGM Studios Map - http://www.disney.go.com/DisneyWorld/ThemeParks/disney_disney_mgm_map.html

Thrill Rides at Cedarpoint - http://www.cedarpoint.com/thrill/index.htm

Kiddy Rides at Gemini Children's Area, Cedar Point - http://www.cedarpoint.com/kids/jrgem.htm

Anheuser Busch Theme Parks - http://www.4adventure.com/

• ZooNet - the biggy, information, pictures, and links to zoos around the world
• Yahooligans List of Zoos - you'll find links to virtual zoos with amazing animals.
• http://www.yahooligans.com/Science_and_Nature/Living_Things/Animals/Zoos/
• Animals from A to Z- earn about your favorite zoo animals from the Oakland Zoo.
• http://www.oaklandzoo.org/atoz/atoz.html
• Quillo's Online Zoo - online zoo with pictures and information about some of the world's animals. http://members.tripod.com/~Quillio/
• The Indianapolis Zoo  - http://www.indyzoo.com/
• Animal Bytes were specifically designed to help you quickly find information about some of the unique creatures found in the animal kingdom. Most files include the scientific classification, fun facts, and biological value. http://www.seaworld.org/animal_bytes/animal_bytes.html
• Animals - provides an easy to understand overview of animals from protozoa and echinoderms to insects, mammals, birds, and fish. http://pittsford.monroe.edu/Schools/Jefferson/Animals/AnimalsFrame.html
• The Cyber Zoomobile - pictures and rather detailed information on animals ranging from lions and tigers to dogs, bears, and others. http://www.primenet.com/~brendel/index.html
• Animal Planet from Discovery Channel  - http://animal.discovery.com/animal.html

The National Zoo, Washington, D.C.  - http://www.si.edu/natzoo/

Part I: Y2K Design Team Work
1.  Within your animal group, decide which job role each member will be.
 

2. All Zoo Planners meet together to collaborate on a layout for the entire zoo park. You will create a blueprint layout of the entire zoo park. Be sure to include locations for the following on your blueprint:

• Park entrance/ticket boot
• Each animal habitat
• Souvenir Gift Shop
• Rides
• Restaurant/snack vendor
• Restrooms
• Pathways to walk in between sections

4. All PR Specialists will meet to brainstorm and develop logo designs and radio ads. They will then vote on a logo design that will be used throughout the entire zoo theme park.

5. Zoo Planners present the layout of the zoo with each design team.

6. PR Specialists present their logo designs and radio ads to each design team.

7. Zoologists and Instructional Designers- on an piece of posterboard, design a habitat for the Y2K Zoo where visitors may see your creatures in their natural environment. As you plan the habitats, think about which creatures could you put together in one habitat and which creatures should not be put together in one habitat.  Make sure you think about predators!

8. Zoo Planners and PR Specialists work together to design names and products to be sold in a souvenir shop and a restaurant/snack vendor for their section of the zoo.  They will also design 2 rides (one adult  and one kiddy ride) for each of the 5 sections of the zoo park. Make sure your designs match the theme of your section of the zoo.

9. Prepare your "pitch presentation" to the Town Planning Committee and Parks & Recreation.  Each animal group will prepare a presentation using PowerPoint or HyperStudio . Include this information in your presentation:

• Name of your section of zoo park
• Illustrations/description of animal habitats
• HyperStudio educational display
• Sample designs for: brochures, gift shop items, radio ads, restaurant menus
• Enlarged layout design of zoo park.

1. Begin teamwork with an overview.  Make sure your team reads through all information first so everybody will know what tasks need to be completed during your meeting time. Time is crucial!

2. Everybody needs a group job role: Each time you meet with your Y2K Design Team, you will be assigned to certain job responsibilites so your group may function effectively.  Here are some suggested job roles:

• Materials Manager: in charge of getting and collecting any materials for the group.
• Big Ben: Encourages group to move through their tasks before time is up. (e.g. "We've been taking too long on this section.  We only have __ minutes left to finish everything.")
• Task Manager: redirects conversations when group is getting off track.  Keeps the group focused on their goals. (e.g. "Let's talk about afterschool stuff after our group finishes today's goals" or "I'm noticing that not every group member is participating and it's slowing r group down.  We need everyone's help.")
• Summarizer: Reads or summarizes any information shared during whole group or small group meetings.

Rephrases the task for the group to do (e.g."During this meeting we need to accomplish these things…").
Rephrases what the group or individuals have said (e.g. "I heard John tell us that he would rather do this instead because..." or "Today our group worked on ...and accomplished...").
Summarizes what was accomplished and what still needs to be done.

4. Listen to the minority voice. Is there someone in the group who isn't participating or tends to be shy?  Try asking them, "We haven't heard from you, John.  What is your opinion about...?"

5. Don't be married to your idea.  You may have a neat idea, but when it's brought to the table, others may not think it's as neat as you think it is.  Don't take offense.  Ask your group to reconsider your idea explaining to them important qualities about your idea.  If you still have no luck, put your idea on hold and begin working on another neat idea that matches the direction your group is going.

6.  Compliment each other's work.  Positive praise encourages positive attitudes and ideas.  Everybody likes to know when they're doing a great job!
 

Evaluation

(HyperStudio or PowerPoint products may also be assessed by using our class-generated Multimedia Presentation Rubric.)

Y2K Design Team "pitch" presentations will be evaluated based on the following questions:

• Are all parts of the project completed? (HyperStudio display, brochures, drawings of habitats, creatures, observation journals, logo, radio ads, overall design layout of zoo park)
• Did you explain why you designed your animal habitat the way you did?
• Did you work cooperatively with your team?  Did all members contribute equally?

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Conclusion

Comments: wtamborr@mccsc.edu