Woodrow Wilson Middle School 2003- - 2004, Glendale USD/Ms. Arline Milton Class: Life Science Project Title: Why are Green Sea Turtles Endangered? Abstract: My project was about why green sea turtles are endangered and my group learned many reasons why. One of these is that there are too many predators that eat the green sea turtle. Aside from that, humans are killing them in many ways. These turtles also have a sickness called fibropollioma, which has killed a large number of them. As you can see, there are many reasons why. Project Title: Clownfish Abstract: The question we were trying to answer was why clownfish don t get stung by anemones; we thought it was important because when we researched we saw there were still mysteries about it. We got information from reliable websites. We also found a National Geographic Magazine and books. The answer to our question was that they have special mucus on their skin which prevents getting stung. We know this because it seems like a reasonable explanation and there is a lot of evidence on it. We know it s true because we found it in more than one place. Project Title: Mola Mola Abstract: The question we were trying to answer was to find out how the Mola Mola travels and moves, this was important to ask because it has different fins from the common fish. We got the information to answer the question by the Internet and books. We also got information by CD- - ROMs, some of which included Encarta and Groliers. The answer to our question was that the fish moves in a zig- - zag pattern swimming vertically. It may also move by floating on one side and let the currents carry them around. Some scientists say it will do this to keep warm. Class: Period 2 Project Title: Atlantic White-sided Dolphin Abstract: Our question was "Why are there more Atlantic white- - sided dolphins offshore than inshore?" and we thought that was important to ask because there could be many conclusions/answers to this question and may need much research. We got information from books, magazines, articles, the Internet, and much of our own background information. Since we knew much about dolphins, in general, we thought we could use it to answer our question. We concluded that these dolphins might not like contact with humans, the water might have not been the right
temperature inshore, and that they might not have thought of it as a good environment. These dolphins might have not found the right food, habitat, etc. We were able to answer our question because there were multiple reasons to why there would be more of these dolphins offshore than inshore. Class: Science 7 Project Title: How Does the Surgeon Fish Protect Itself from Predators? Abstract: We asked how the surgeon fish protects itself from predator. It is important because we need to know what defenses it has to protect its self from predators. We got the information needed by checking out books at the library. We also did research on the Internet. We concluded that it has a sharp knife. It is located near the dorsal fin. It can puncture and warn enemies. Project Title: Sea Lions Abstract: The question in our report was how do sea lions know their own pup when all the pups look alike. We got our information from various web sites, books and the library. We concluded that the answer was that when a mother was looking for her pup she would call it. When the pup heard the call it would return it. They recognize each others voice by the vocal patterns. When they finally find the mother she sniffs her baby just to make sure that it is hers. Project Title: Ocean Sunfish Abstract: Our question was basically "how does the ocean sunfish move?" Most of our information was gathered by researching on the Internet. Although we did stop at the library, it proved to be a poor source of information. All of our research pointed to the fish swimming in a peculiar fashion. It propelled itself with jets of water from its gills. It used it tail or caudal fin as a rudder. Project Title: Bottle-nosed Dolphin Abstract: Our question is how smart are dolphins and how can we measure their intelligence. This is important because dolphins' intelligence is growing rapidly and scientists need to help increase their intelligence. We found our information by going on dolphin websites, reading scientists' thoughts and information then reading what we learned. We also checked out many books from the library such as World Books and trainer books. The answer to this question is that dolphins are extremely smart; they are the smartest animals in the world. Scientists measure their intelligence by looking at the
size of their brains and comparing it to the size of their bodies and to the size of the brains of other animals. They also use instruments such as the underwater keyboard and whistle; these things help them improve their memory skills and recognition skills. These were possible by the many books, magazines and websites. Project Title: Leatherback Sea Turtle Abstract: The question we were trying to answer was what was making the leatherback sea turtle so endangered. It is an important question because they will become extinct if they keep dying at their present rate. We found the information that we used to answer the question from the internet. We also found information from encyclopedias and world books. We concluded that the leatherback sea turtles are endangered due to pollution by humans, trapping in fishing nets and being killed and eaten for food. Due to the observations, most scientists and biologists explained that they are the major causes of death in leatherback sea turtles. Project Title: How do Bottle-nosed Dolphins Relate to Other Sea Creatures? Abstract: Our question for our project is "how do bottle nose dolphins relate to other sea creatures?" We thought that question was important because we actually wanted to compare it to different sea creatures and we thought it would be fun specifically doing that question. The information we got was from websites, books, magazines in order to answer our specific question. We concluded that the answer to our question is that they react kindly to non prey species and defensively to sea creatures that viewed them as prey. Project Title: What is a Torpedo Ray? Abstract: What is a torpedo ray? We got our information from books, encyclopedias and the Internet. We highlighted facts and then typed them at the computer. We found a lot of information on the torpedo ray with which to answer our question. We found addition facts in order to give the reader additional information about the subject. Project Title: California Halibut Abstract: Why does the California halibut have two eyes on one side and what does
it eat exactly? How does it eat even with a weak and flimsy jaw? They are the important questions to ask, because this creature isn't a well- - known species, and it would be interesting to find out these answers. We went to the Glendale Public Library and researched on the Internet. We also used the encyclopedia. We concluded that the California halibut has two eyes on one side because during the development of the halibut, one eye migrates and finally corresponds with its other eye to better fit its environment. The California halibut eats small shrimp, larger crustaceans, plankton, and pieces of left over fishes. The creature eats by getting its jaw to adjust to the size of the prey and then uses its back teeth to munch up the food. Project Title: Marine Science Abstract: The question we were trying to answer was: how do cephalopods change color using chromatophores. This is important because it will help us better understand the lifestyles of cephalopods. We got the information to answer our question mostly from books. We also collected some information from the Internet and first hand observation. The answer to our question was that they change color by contracting and expanding chromatophores. This contracting and expanding separates and pushes together pigment particles, which in turn lightens or darkens the area of skin. The one thing we were unable to answer was how cephalopods change actual color. We think this is because of lack of funding to study octopi and squid because they are not for the most part endangered. Project Title: How do Whale Sharks Reproduce? Abstract: Scientists know a lot about the physical activities and patterns about whales. We wanted to know if they had done any studies on how the whale shark reproduces. We spent many hours in the library, on the Internet and checked out many books. We found that they reproduce sexually, how often, gestation period, the number of calves born each time and life span. Whale sharks are incredible creatures that are harmless and should be left alone by man. Project Title: Cushion Star Abstract: Our groups question was how does the cushion star move? The reason why we choose this question was because it is really important to know how an echinoderm moves. We got information by lots of books from the library; we researched a lot on books and on the Internet. We concluded that the answer to our question was tht the cushion star moves by using hundreds of tiny tube feet. And also because of its
water vascular system, because without it the cushion star and other echinoderms can't move. Project Title: The Bottle-nosed Dolphin Abstract: The question was "why does the bottle nose dolphin have that particular shaped nose?" We gathered information from books, the Internet and magazines. We were able to find the answer in a book about structural factors. Project Title: How do Starfish Reproduce? Abstract: "How do starfish reproduce" is an important question because if you wanted to study marine biology and starfish you would need to know the conditions necessary for reproduction. We got books from the library about the spiny brittle star. We also got information from the Internet. The starfish can reproduce by binary fission, asexually, where it splits and regrows new parts. They can also reproduce sexually using sperm and eggs. Project Title: Clown Fish Abstract: The question for our marine science project was "how do clown fish live in their environment." This marine science project is important because we don't know how fish live in their environment and survive. We don't live in the ocean to know this. With a lot of research, we found information that helped us understand and learn more about them. We went to the library and did a lot or research. We looked in books and found very important information that helped us. Our answer to the question was that they live with other clown fish and they have a symbiotic relationship with the anemone because it protects the clown fish from predators. Project Title: Why Aren't Orcas Prey for Other Sea Creatures? Abstract: We asked why can't bigger whales kill the orca. We think this question is important because the orca isn't the biggest whale but seems to be the most dominant. We used the library, encyclopedias, the Internet and we read. We found that orcas travel in pods, which are groups of orcas. We also found that these whales have very sharp teeth while many other whales do not.
Project Title: Short-Beaked Common Dolphin Abstract: We wanted to know how the short- beaked common dolphin's senses help it survive under water. We wanted to know how these incredible mammals live to reproduce. We researched information from the Internet, books, and magazines. We went to the library to check out a vast number of books which helped a lot to answer our question. In the end we found out about the entire dolphin's senses and how every one of them are very important to it. We found if they did not have one they would probably not live to reproduce. We discovered things we did not know about eyesight, sonar, smell and taste. Most of our hypothesis was proved correct. Project Title: Sea Lions: How do Humans Affect Them? Abstract: The question we were trying to answer was: How do humans affect sea lions? While looking at the water from the boat on the cruise, we saw pieces of trash floating in the water. Seeing the sea lions on the buoy, it made us think of what we, humans, are doing to the sea lions and their habitat. We decided on this question not only as a project but to convince other people that harming the earth doesn't only affect us but all other living creatures. Our group found the information for our question by looking at books, Internet, and calling places. We looked under several sites and called aquariums, Sea World, the zoo, and many other places. We concluded that our answer had possibilities. Humans are polluting the sea from oil and trash, fishermen are overfishing, sea lions are getting poisoned and much more. Project Title: Similarities and Differences in Sea Turtles Abstract: We wanted to know what were the similarities and differences in sea turtles, so we compared 7 different species. We researched on the Internet and the library. We found more similarities than differences. We learned a great deal about sea turtles Project Title: Bottle-nosed Dolphins Abstract: Our question was How do bottle- nosed dolphins communicate? which is important because every species needs to be able to communicate somehow in
order to survive. We found our information from websites and books about dolphins and dolphin communication. We did research online and went to the library to check out books about dolphins. Our answer was that dolphins communicate using sonar sounds and clicks. They also use the system of echolocation. Dolphins use echolocation to determine the size and shape of the objects in front of them. Project Title: Astropecten Irregularis Abstract: Question was how many species of astropecten are there? We divided into groups and searched the internet for information on the web and looked through a few books. As it turned out there is only one species of astropecten. All our research pointed to astropecten irregularis.