Adaptation Game Studio
Inquiry Framework
Question Framework
Driving Question
The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we design a game to teach others about how animal adaptations help them survive in different environments?Essential Questions
Supporting questions that break down major concepts.- What are animal adaptations and why are they important?
- How do animals use adaptations to survive in their environments?
- What is the role of an environment in shaping the adaptations of animals?
Standards & Learning Goals
Learning Goals
By the end of this project, students will be able to:- Understand the concept of animal adaptations and their importance for survival in different environments.
- Develop a simple educational game that effectively communicates how various animal adaptations help survival.
- Enhance research skills by investigating different animals and their environments to identify unique adaptations.
- Improve collaboration by working together to design and create a game highlighting animal adaptations.
- Apply basic math skills in comparing sizes and dimensions of animal parts within the game context.
NGSS
Common Core Standards
Entry Events
Events that will be used to introduce the project to studentsVirtual Safari Adventure
Students embark on a virtual safari where they encounter different animals in diverse habitats. Each student chooses an animal to follow, documenting their adaptations and using this information as a foundation to design a character for their game.Animal Detective Mission
Students receive a mysterious message from a famous animal scientist asking for help to identify various animal tracks and clues left behind. As they follow these tracks, they discover unique adaptations that inspire their game designs.Adaptation Escape Room
Transform the classroom into an escape room where students solve puzzles related to animal adaptations to escape. Each puzzle reveals facts about different adaptations and offers inspiration for game development.Adaptation Fashion Show
Students participate in an 'Adaptation Fashion Show' where they create costumes representing different animal adaptations. Through this imaginative process, they connect these adaptations to the characters they will create in their games.Portfolio Activities
Portfolio Activities
These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.Animal Adaptation Expert
Students research and select an animal to feature in their game, focusing on its unique adaptations.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA detailed animal profile with key adaptations and habitat information.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsCovers NGSS 1-LS1-1 (mimicking animal parts for survival) and CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.1.7 (shared research and writing).Adaptation Character Designer
Students design a character for their game based on the animal they researched, focusing on how its adaptations can be represented visually and mathematically.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA character design sketch with labeled adaptations and size comparisons to real-world objects.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsCovers NGSS 1-LS1-1 (designing a solution by mimicking animals) and CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.1.MD.A.1 (ordering and comparing lengths).Adaptation Game Mechanic Creator
Students create simple game mechanics that showcase how their animal's adaptations help it survive in its environment.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA game design document outlining the game's objective, rules, and how adaptations are used to achieve goals.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsCovers CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.1.7 (writing instructions) and NGSS 1-LS1-1 (understanding survival needs).Adaptation Math Integration Specialist
Students develop simple math problems related to their animal's adaptations to integrate into the game, focusing on measuring and comparing sizes.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA set of math problems that are integrated into the game.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsCovers CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.1.MD.A.1 (comparing lengths) and NGSS 1-LS1-1 (mimicking animal adaptations).Rubric & Reflection
Portfolio Rubric
Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolioAdaptation Game Studio Rubric
Animal Adaptation Expert
Assesses the student's ability to research and describe an animal and its adaptations.Accuracy and Completeness
Accuracy of information about the animal's habitat and adaptations
Beginning
1 PointsProvides inaccurate or incomplete information about the animal’s habitat and adaptations.
Developing
2 PointsProvides some accurate information about the animal’s habitat and adaptations, but with minor inaccuracies or omissions.
Proficient
3 PointsProvides accurate and thorough information about the animal’s habitat and adaptations, demonstrating a good understanding of the key concepts.
Exemplary
4 PointsProvides exceptionally accurate, detailed, and insightful information about the animal’s habitat and adaptations, demonstrating a deep and nuanced understanding.
Profile Clarity and Detail
Clarity and detail of the animal profile
Beginning
1 PointsThe animal profile is poorly written, lacks detail, and is difficult to understand.
Developing
2 PointsThe animal profile is somewhat clear but lacks detail or contains some confusing elements.
Proficient
3 PointsThe animal profile is clear, well-written, and provides sufficient detail about the animal and its adaptations.
Exemplary
4 PointsThe animal profile is exceptionally clear, engaging, and detailed, demonstrating excellent writing skills and a deep understanding of the animal.
Adaptation Identification
Identification of key adaptations and their importance for the animal's survival
Beginning
1 PointsFails to identify key adaptations or does not explain their importance for the animal's survival.
Developing
2 PointsIdentifies some adaptations but struggles to explain their importance or relevance to the animal's survival.
Proficient
3 PointsIdentifies key adaptations and clearly explains their importance for the animal's survival in its habitat.
Exemplary
4 PointsIdentifies key adaptations, explains their importance with exceptional clarity, and provides insightful connections to the animal's environment and survival strategies.
Adaptation Character Designer
Evaluates the student's ability to design and represent an animal character with labeled adaptations and size comparisons.Character Sketch Quality
Visual representation of the animal character and its adaptations
Beginning
1 PointsThe character sketch is incomplete, poorly drawn, and does not clearly represent the animal or its adaptations.
Developing
2 PointsThe character sketch is somewhat complete but lacks detail or clarity in representing the animal and its adaptations.
Proficient
3 PointsThe character sketch is well-drawn, clearly represents the animal, and effectively showcases its key adaptations.
Exemplary
4 PointsThe character sketch is exceptionally detailed, creative, and effectively highlights the animal's adaptations in an engaging and informative way.
Labeling and Explanations
Accuracy and clarity of adaptation labels and explanations
Beginning
1 PointsLabels are missing or inaccurate, and explanations are unclear or do not relate to the animal's adaptations.
Developing
2 PointsLabels are present but may contain inaccuracies, and explanations are basic or incomplete.
Proficient
3 PointsLabels are accurate and clear, and explanations effectively describe the purpose of each adaptation.
Exemplary
4 PointsLabels are exceptionally clear and insightful, and explanations demonstrate a deep understanding of the adaptations and their functional significance.
Size Comparisons
Accuracy and relevance of size comparisons to real-world objects
Beginning
1 PointsSize comparisons are missing, inaccurate, or irrelevant to the animal's adaptations.
Developing
2 PointsSize comparisons are present but may be inaccurate or lack a clear connection to the animal's adaptations.
Proficient
3 PointsSize comparisons are accurate, relevant, and effectively illustrate the scale of the animal's adaptations.
Exemplary
4 PointsSize comparisons are highly accurate, creative, and provide insightful perspectives on the animal's adaptations relative to familiar objects.
Adaptation Game Mechanic Creator
Assesses the student's ability to create game mechanics that showcase the animal's adaptations.Game Objective
Clarity and feasibility of the game objective
Beginning
1 PointsThe game objective is unclear, unrealistic, or not related to the animal's survival.
Developing
2 PointsThe game objective is somewhat clear but may be unrealistic or weakly connected to the animal's survival.
Proficient
3 PointsThe game objective is clear, feasible, and directly related to the animal's survival needs.
Exemplary
4 PointsThe game objective is exceptionally clear, engaging, and creatively integrates the animal's survival needs into a compelling game scenario.
Game Rules
Logic and clarity of the game rules
Beginning
1 PointsThe game rules are confusing, illogical, or do not effectively utilize the animal's adaptations.
Developing
2 PointsThe game rules are somewhat clear but may be illogical or weakly connected to the animal's adaptations.
Proficient
3 PointsThe game rules are logical, clear, and effectively utilize the animal's adaptations to achieve the game objective.
Exemplary
4 PointsThe game rules are exceptionally clear, creative, and provide a compelling and engaging way to utilize the animal's adaptations within the game.
Storyboard Visualization
Effectiveness of the storyboard in visualizing game play
Beginning
1 PointsThe storyboard is missing, incomplete, or does not effectively visualize how the game is played or how adaptations are used.
Developing
2 PointsThe storyboard is basic but lacks detail or clarity in visualizing game play and the use of adaptations.
Proficient
3 PointsThe storyboard clearly visualizes the game play and effectively demonstrates how adaptations are used to achieve the game objective.
Exemplary
4 PointsThe storyboard is exceptionally detailed, creative, and provides a compelling and informative visualization of the game play, highlighting the strategic use of adaptations.
Adaptation Math Integration Specialist
Evaluates the student's ability to develop and integrate math problems related to animal adaptations into the game.Math Problem Relevance
Relevance of math problems to animal adaptations
Beginning
1 PointsThe math problems are not relevant to the animal's adaptations or are completely missing.
Developing
2 PointsThe math problems are somewhat related to the animal's adaptations but lack a clear connection.
Proficient
3 PointsThe math problems are directly relevant to the animal's adaptations and enhance understanding of their size or function.
Exemplary
4 PointsThe math problems are highly relevant, creative, and provide insightful perspectives on the animal's adaptations through mathematical analysis.
Solution Accuracy
Accuracy and appropriateness of math problem solutions
Beginning
1 PointsThe math problem solutions are incorrect or missing.
Developing
2 PointsThe math problem solutions contain errors or are not clearly explained.
Proficient
3 PointsThe math problem solutions are accurate and clearly explained, demonstrating a solid understanding of the math concepts.
Exemplary
4 PointsThe math problem solutions are exceptionally accurate, insightful, and demonstrate a deep understanding of the math concepts in the context of animal adaptations.
Gameplay Integration
Integration of math problems into the game's gameplay
Beginning
1 PointsThe math problems are not integrated into the game's gameplay or are poorly integrated.
Developing
2 PointsThe math problems are integrated into the game's gameplay but do not significantly enhance the experience.
Proficient
3 PointsThe math problems are effectively integrated into the game's gameplay, enhancing the learning experience and providing a meaningful context for the math concepts.
Exemplary
4 PointsThe math problems are seamlessly integrated into the game's gameplay, creating a highly engaging and educational experience that reinforces understanding of both animal adaptations and math concepts.