Creating the Race Rocks Seascape

Research Question: What do the various creatures that live at Race Rocks look like and how do they live?

Focus

By the end of this activity you will:

• Be able to give information about where and what Race Rocks is
• Researched a creature from Race Rocks and completed a “Creature Feature” information sheet
• Completed a "Creature Design" shet and developed and made images of creatures found at Race Rocks
• Given a “virtual” tour of Race Rocks
• Compared and contrasted form and function in two creatures from Race Rocks

Activity

Your teacher will lead the class through a discussion of where Race Rocks is, what a Marine Protected Area is and the different kinds of sea creatures that live within Race Rocks and the surrounding area.

You will develop a seascape to simulate Race Rocks within your classroom. Once the seascape has been created, you have to fill it with plants and animals. Then, while surfing the Race Rocks website you will learn about the creatures that live there. Choosing one creature, you will fill out the creature feature information sheet Once you have found all of your information, go to the creature design sheet which will guide you through some design questions. When you have completed your image, place it together with your information in the virtual seascape.

Finally, you will act as an underwater tour guide as you explore and explain the the Race Rocks seascape with fellow students and/or your parents.

Reflection

Take two organisms that have been created and compare and contrast the form and function between them. Things to think about:

• Colour
• Shape
• Size
• How they protect themselves
• How they gather food
• How they reproduce
• What features that are common to these organisms serve to ensure their survival?