Conservation is an interdisciplinary subject where everyday actions of humans have an impact on species in foreign countries. To help solve these impacts, it is important to understand how our actions affect the environment. For this portfolio option you

20170629034842bio121_portfolioprojectrubric_final
 

Conservation is an interdisciplinary subject where everyday actions of humans have an impact on species in foreign countries. To help solve these impacts, it is important to understand how our actions affect the environment. For this portfolio option you will choose one species that you want to ensure will be around for many generations. It can be any plant or animal naturally found in the wild (no humans, domestic cats, domestic dogs, etc.). You will produce a paper about the threats your species is facing and how we can help overcome them. You will also create a pamphlet that you could use to spread the word about the issues your species is facing and encourage people to help them. Your paper will address the following elements:

1. Describe your species including where it is found, what it eats, what eats it, how it interacts with humans, etc.
2. Discuss the IUCN Red List status (are they endangered?) and research the threats to the survival of this species. Use the IUCN Red List (http://www.iucnredlist.org/) as one of your sources for this section.
3. Describe the threats facing your species and how these threats affect other species as well. Are humans or organizations one of the threats?
4. Discuss solutions to the threats facing your species. What solutions have been presented by people in the field? What solutions can your think of based on what you know?
5. Choose one way you can help save your species. Try it out and record data to show how your changes will have an impact. Start recycling for a week. Become a vegetarian for a week. Start buying FSC certified products. Create a compost pile. Switch to organic farming in your garden. Plant a pollinator garden. Reduce the amount of time you spend in the car for a week. Is your house drafty? Look into ways to reduce the loss of heat/cool air and try one out. Reduce the amount you use the heater or air conditioning by increasing or decreasing the setting a few degrees. What else can you think of to do? This must be a change in your habits from before so you can record data on the impact your change had.

   Discuss why you chose the method to help that you did and how it went.
   Present the data you collected from before and after the change to show the impact your change had.
   Is this something you could continue to do? What would be the impact on the environment if you did continue to implement this change?

Requirements:

Annotated Bibliography

References
For each reference provide the following information:

• State what kind of resource it is (peer-reviewed journal article, magazine article, website, Ted Talk, etc.) and why you think it is a reliable source of information.
• Describe why you chose the resource.
• Discuss how you will use it in your paper.

Images
For the images, make sure you are not infringing on copyright. Use your own photos or something available through creative commons. Provide the following information:

• A complete reference for the image in APA formatting.
• A description of how the image would be used in your pamphlet.

Follow APA format

Include a title page, but you will not need a separate reference page. Simply put your annotations about each reference below the reference.

Your written paper should be 6 to 7 pages in length not counting the title and reference pages, which you must include.

• You need to cite at least 10 sources for this assignment, outside of the textbook. Six of these sources must come from academic journals.
• Your paper must be formatted according to APA Requirements.

.In addition to the paper, you also need to complete a pamphlet (this is worth 100 points). This pamphlet can be aimed at any audience of your choosing. The purpose of the pamphlet is to educate your audience about the issues your species is facing and motivate them to help! Make sure you use plenty of properly cited images. Support your pamphlet with at least two references.

BIO121: Portfolio Project Rubric

Criteria Meets Expectation Approaches
Expectation

Below Expectation Limited Evidence

Content, Research, and Analysis

25-30 Points 19-24 Points 13-18 Points 7-12 Points
Requirements The Portfolio

includes all of the
required
components, as
specified in the
assignment.

The Portfolio
includes most of
the required
components, as
specified in the
assignment.

The Portfolio
includes some of
the required
components, as
specified in the
assignment.

The Portfolio
includes few of the
required
components, as
specified in the
assignment.

33-40 Points 25-32 Points 17-24 Points 9-16 Points
Content Demonstrates

strong or adequate
knowledge of the
species or natural
area, depending on
which Portfolio
Option is selected;
correctly
represents
knowledge from
the readings and
sources.

Some significant
but not major
errors or omissions
in demonstration
of knowledge.

Major errors or
omissions in
demonstration of
knowledge.

Fails to
demonstrate
knowledge of the
materials.

33-40 Points 25-32 Points 17-24 Points 9-16 Points
Critical Analysis Demonstrates

strong or adequate
critical analysis of
the threats posed
to the selected
topic and how to
address those
threats.

Some significant
but not major
errors or omissions
in critical analysis.

Major errors or
omissions in critical
analysis.

Fails to
demonstrate
critical analysis.

33-40 Points 25-32 Points 17-24 Points 9-16 Points
Pamphlet:
Synthesis and
Evaluation

Pamphlet
demonstrates
strong or adequate
synthesis and
evaluation of data
collected and
analyzed regarding
threat mitigation
for selected topic.

Some significant
but not major
errors or omissions
in synthesis and
evaluation.

Major errors or
omissions in
synthesis and
evaluation.

Fails to
demonstrate
synthesis and
evaluation.

BIO121: Portfolio Project Rubric

17-20 Points 13-16 Points 9-12 Points 5-8 Points
Sources Cites and

integrates at least
10 credible
sources.

Cites and
integrates 9-8
credible sources.

Cites and
integrates 7-6
credible source.

Cites and
integrates 5 or
fewer credible
sources.

17-20 Points 13-16 Points 9-12 Points 5-8 Points
Application of
Source Material

Sources well or
adequately chosen
to provide
substance and
perspectives on the
issue; knowledge
from the course
linked properly to
source material.

Some significant
but not major
problems with
selection and
linkage of sources.

Major problems
with selection and
linkage of sources.

Source selection is
seriously flawed;
no linkage to
knowledge from
the course.

Mechanics and Writing
17-20 Points 13-16 Points 9-12 Points 5-8 Points
Organization Project is clearly

organized, well
written, and in
proper essay
format including an
introduction, body,
and conclusion.
Conforms to
project
requirements.

Small number of
significant but not
major flaws in
organization and
writing; is in proper
essay format. In a
minor way does
not conform to
project
requirements.

Major problems in
organization and
writing; does not
completely follow
proper essay
format. In a
significant way
does not conform
to project
requirements.

Project is not well
organized or well
written and is not
in proper essay
format. Does not
conform to project
requirements.

17-20 Points 13-16 Points 9-12 Points 5-8 Points
Grammar and
Style

Strong sentence
and paragraph
structure; few or
no minor errors in
grammar and
spelling;
appropriate writing
style; clear and
concise with no
unsupported
comments.

Small number of
significant but not
major errors in
grammar and
spelling; generally
appropriate
writing.

Inconsistent to
inadequate
sentence and
paragraph
development; work
needed on
grammar and
spelling; does not
meet program
expectations.

Poor quality;
unacceptable in
terms of grammar
and/or spelling;
inappropriate
writing style that
interferes with
clarity.

BIO121: Portfolio Project Rubric

17-20 Points 13-16 Points 9-12 Points 5-8 Points
Demonstrates
proper use of APA
style

Project contains
proper APA
formatting,
according to the
CSU-Global Guide
to Writing and APA
Requirements, with
no more than one
significant error.

Few errors in APA
formatting,
according to the
CSU-Global Guide
to Writing and APA
Requirements, with
no more than two
to three significant
errors.

Significant errors in
APA formatting,
according to the
CSU-Global Guide
to Writing and APA
Requirements, with
four to five
significant errors.

Numerous errors in
APA formatting,
according to the
CSU-Global Guide
to Writing and APA
Requirements, with
more than five
significant errors.

Points: 250