Name:
Date:
Be the Atom
Carbon and nitrogen are an essential elements that cycle through the living and nonliving environment. One
atom could be traced over many years traveling through different organisms and environments. As an atom
travels through these different places it will bond with other elements to form different molecules, perform
different functions, and then be broken down again into other substances.
You may work in pairs and choose the type of assignment in which to demonstrate your knowledge of the
chosen cycle from the list below. Whichever assignment you choose, you must show your understanding of
how atom is transferred and used in ecological interactions.
You must have 5 different places where the atom travels with at least one plant, one animal, and one abiotic
location being represented.
How it will be scored:
Points
5
6
6
7
6
5
35
Notes
Showed five different locations where the atom can be found in the cycle. (at least 1 plant, 1 animal, and 1 abiotic)
Described or showed in which molecule the atom is in at three locations in the cycle.
For example, carbon is in a molecule of CO2 in the atmosphere or N2 is in the atmosphere.
Showed the equation for photosynthesis and respiration at the appropriate places (carbon cycle)
or nitrogen fixation, nitrification, and denitrification (nitrogen cycle).
For example, if you describe an animal producing CO2 you must include the equation for respiration.
Showed an accurate model of the cycle; the cycle accurately demonstrated understanding of how
carbon is transferred and used in ecological interactions.
For example, carbon would go from one organism to another organism or from the atmosphere to
an organism. However, you should not have CO2 from the atmosphere going into an animal nor
NO2- being produced from plants.
The project shows effort. It is neat, attractive, well done and with few grammatical errors (where
relevant).
Your self-assessment (although this project is to be done in pairs, your self-assessment is to be
completed independently).
Total
We will discuss the cycles in class, but you will need to do some of your own research and study to do a
good job on the assignment. Some links are available on Mr. McIlvaney’s blog, the Science 10 textbooks, and
other book sources. Useful web sites are listed below, but you may also find others that are helpful:
Science 9 – Matter Cycles
Ms. LaBrash
Rev1
Name:
Date:
Carbon Cycle References
http://www.visionlearning.com/en/library/Earth-Science/6/The-Carbon-Cycle/95
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/CarbonCycle/
Nitrogen Cycle References
https://www.pbslearningmedia.org/asset/lsps07_int_nitrogen/
http://www.visionlearning.com/en/library/Earth-Science/6/The-Nitrogen-Cycle/98
http://www.lenntech.com/nitrogen-cycle.htm
Bodily/Kinesthetic:
1. Find and use materials to create an interactive model of the cycle. Present this model to the class.
2. Design and perform a skit in which you enact the cycle and all the components of the carbon cycle.
Written
Visualize and imagine that you are an atom moving through different organisms and ecosystems. Create and
write a journal of your journey discussing where you have been, what you are doing and what other atoms
you are interacting with along the way. You may also use pictures to record your journey.
Logical/Mathematical
Invent a logic puzzle or a game that shows how the cycle works. For example: board games, card game, etc.
Do not make a jeopardy game or draw a picture and cut it up into a jigsaw puzzle, please!
Musical/rhythmic
Design a song, rap or rhyming poem to describe the cycle. Record or perform for the class or teacher.
Verbal/linguistic (choose one activity)
1. Create a story of the travels of a carbon or nitrogen atom. This should be creative and interesting. You
may write your project, perform it as a storyteller or record a video of you or another person telling your
story dramatically.
2. Write and present a 4 minute speech on the carbon cycle and present it to the class. Include
well-supported and explained details. Deliver the speech from memory or notecards.
Visual/spatial (choose one activity)
1. Create an original 3-D visual representation of the cycle.
2. Draw a comic showing the atom’s journey through the cycle.
3. Create and edit a 5 minute video that demonstrates the processes in the cycle.
DO NOT COPY AND PASTE ANY TEXT OR PICTURES FROM WEBSITES OR BOOKS. ALL PICTURES AND WORDS
MUST BE YOUR OWN ORIGINAL WORK!!
DUE DATE: March 7, 2017
Science 9 – Matter Cycles
Ms. LaBrash
Rev1
Name:
Date:
Self Assessment
<a blank copy will be provided to you on the due date>
Curricular Competencies
Demonstrate a sustained intellectual curiosity about a scientific topic
Formulate physical or mental theoretical models to describe a phenomenon
Communicate scientific ideas, claims, information, and perhaps a suggested course of action, for a specific
purpose and audience, constructing evidence-based arguments and using appropriate scientific language,
conventions, and representations
Content
Matter cycles – carbon and nitrogen
Describe what you did for this assignment and what skills you used.
I built a 3-D model on a circuit so, when tapped, the location of the nitrogen atom is shown and the associated information can be heard through the provided sound clip.
What did you particularly like about the process and/or the finished product?
In this process, I enjoyed building the model and I think it looks really good. I chose to show a desert environment which makes the plant and animals on the landscape obvious. The sound clips were hard to record because I kept making mistakes and had to try again, but I like the final cuts.
How could you work better or take an assignment like this further next time?
I could have added more description to the sound clips or provided comparison to other environments.
may have been good to choose a more obviously diverse environment
It
Overall, where do you think you are with this project?
Evaluation:
Not Yet Meeting
Developing
Accomplished
Extending
The student is receiving teacher direction and has not shown their abilities or understanding of the Competency
or Content.
The student shows some understanding and are practicing and applying the Competency or Content.
The student has accomplished, understands, and is able to use and apply the Competency or Content.
The student is able to identify and share new ways of seeing, using or connecting the Competency or Content.
Circle the face that represents your overall satisfaction with how you did on this assignment:
Science 9 – Matter Cycles
Ms. LaBrash
Rev1