Zoo Design Challenge: Enclosures and Animal Needs
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Zoo Design Challenge: Enclosures and Animal Needs

Grade 3Math2 days
In this project, third-grade students act as zoo designers to create functional and sustainable zoos that meet the diverse needs of animals while staying within budget. They apply mathematical principles and create scaled models to plan zoo layouts and calculate costs. The project involves researching animal needs, designing habitats, and developing a budget proposal, fostering collaboration and problem-solving skills.
Zoo DesignAnimal HabitatsScaled ModelsBudgetingMathematical PrinciplesZoo Exhibits
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Inquiry Framework

Question Framework

Driving Question

The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we, as zoo designers, create a functional and sustainable zoo that meets the diverse needs of animals using mathematical principles and scaled models, while staying within budget?

Essential Questions

Supporting questions that break down major concepts.
  • How can we use math to design habitats that meet the needs of zoo animals?
  • What considerations must be made when designing a zoo exhibit for a specific animal?
  • How can scale models and maps help us plan the layout of our zoo?
  • How can we use addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division to calculate the costs of building and maintaining our zoo exhibits?

Standards & Learning Goals

Learning Goals

By the end of this project, students will be able to:
  • Apply mathematical principles to design zoo habitats that meet the needs of diverse animals
  • Create scaled models and maps to plan the zoo layout
  • Calculate the costs of building and maintaining zoo exhibits using addition, subtraction, multiplication and division
  • Understand the considerations for designing zoo exhibits for specific animals

Common Core Standards

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.9-10.1
Secondary
Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grades 9–10 topics, texts, and issues, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.Reason: While this standard is for a higher grade level, the core skill of participating in collaborative discussions is relevant to the project, especially during the design and planning phases.

Entry Events

Events that will be used to introduce the project to students

Zoo Needs Our Help!

A local news report airs about a struggling zoo that needs a redesign. Students are invited to become junior zoo designers to help.

The Mysterious Donation

An anonymous benefactor leaves a large sum of money to the school, but it can only be used to design a miniature zoo. Students must pitch their zoo design ideas.
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Portfolio Activities

Portfolio Activities

These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.
Activity 1

Animal Architects - Habitat How-To

Students research the specific needs of their chosen animals, focusing on habitat size, climate, diet, and enrichment.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Each team member selects one animal to research in detail.
2. Students use books, websites, and other resources to gather information about their animal's habitat requirements.
3. Students create a detailed animal needs report, including habitat size, climate, diet, and enrichment requirements.
4. Each team member shares their research findings with the team, discussing any challenges or considerations.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA detailed animal needs report for each chosen animal, including habitat size, climate, diet, and enrichment requirements.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsCovers CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.9-10.1 by requiring students to share their research findings and design ideas with their team, building on each other's contributions.
Activity 2

Zoo Blueprints - Scaling Success

Students create a scaled model of their zoo, using mathematical principles to ensure that the habitats are appropriately sized and spaced.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Teams create a scale factor for their model (e.g., 1 inch = 10 feet).
2. Students use graph paper or other materials to create a scaled map of their zoo.
3. Teams design and build scaled models of their animal habitats, using cardboard, construction paper, and other materials.
4. Students calculate the area and perimeter of each habitat to ensure that it meets the animal's needs.
5. Teams present their scale model designs to the class, explaining their mathematical calculations.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA scaled model of the zoo, including detailed habitat designs and mathematical calculations for area and perimeter.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.9-10.1 by having students present their scale model designs to the class and explain their mathematical calculations.
Activity 3

Zoo Tycoons - Budget Breakdown

Students develop a budget for their zoo, calculating the costs of building materials, animal care, and staffing.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Teams research the costs of building materials, animal care, and staffing.
2. Students use addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division to calculate the total cost of their zoo.
3. Teams develop a budget proposal, justifying each expense and outlining potential cost-saving strategies.
4. Teams present their budget proposals to the class, answering questions and defending their choices.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA detailed budget for the zoo, including a breakdown of all costs and a justification for each expense.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsCorresponds with CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.9-10.1 as students discuss and justify their budget allocations and cost-saving strategies during a presentation to the class.
Activity 4

Zoo Dream Team - Brainstorm Bonanza

Students form design teams and brainstorm initial ideas for their zoo, focusing on the types of animals they want to house and the overall theme of their zoo.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Divide the class into small design teams (3-4 students per team).
2. Each team brainstorms potential zoo themes (e.g., African Safari, Amazon Rainforest, Arctic Adventure).
3. Teams research and select 3-5 animals that fit their chosen theme, considering their habitat requirements.
4. Teams create a list of initial design ideas, including potential exhibit types and features.
5. Each team drafts a team agreement outlining roles (e.g., researcher, designer, budget manager) and responsibilities.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA list of initial zoo design ideas and animal choices, along with a team agreement outlining roles and responsibilities.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.9-10.1 by focusing on initiating and participating in collaborative discussions to brainstorm zoo design ideas.
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Rubric & Reflection

Portfolio Rubric

Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolio

Animal Architects Rubric

Category 1

Animal Research & Collaboration

Focuses on the research and collaborative aspects of understanding animal needs.
Criterion 1

Animal Needs Research

Accuracy and thoroughness of animal research, including habitat size, climate, diet, and enrichment requirements.

Exemplary
1 Points

Animal needs report is exceptionally detailed, accurate, and comprehensive, demonstrating a deep understanding of the animal's requirements. All aspects of habitat, climate, diet, and enrichment are thoroughly addressed and supported by substantial evidence.

Proficient
3 Points

Animal needs report is thorough and accurate, demonstrating a solid understanding of the animal's requirements. All aspects of habitat, climate, diet, and enrichment are addressed and supported by clear evidence.

Developing
2 Points

Animal needs report shows emerging understanding of the animal's requirements. Some aspects of habitat, climate, diet, and enrichment may be incomplete or lack sufficient detail. Evidence is limited.

Beginning
1 Points

Animal needs report demonstrates minimal understanding of the animal's requirements. Key aspects of habitat, climate, diet, and enrichment are missing or inaccurate. Insufficient evidence is provided.

Criterion 2

Collaborative Sharing

Quality of the team's collaborative sharing and discussion of individual research findings, showing active listening and building upon ideas.

Exemplary
4 Points

Team members actively listen to and build upon each other's ideas in a way that substantially enhances the overall quality of the animal needs report. Collaboration is seamless, and diverse perspectives are synthesized effectively.

Proficient
3 Points

Team members actively listen to and build upon each other's ideas, enhancing the overall quality of the animal needs report. Collaboration is effective, and diverse perspectives are considered.

Developing
2 Points

Team members participate in sharing and discussing research findings, but there is limited evidence of active listening or building upon each other's ideas. Collaboration is present but could be improved.

Beginning
1 Points

Team members struggle to share and discuss research findings effectively. Limited active listening or building upon each other's ideas. Collaboration is minimal or absent.

Reflection Prompts

End-of-project reflection questions to get students to think about their learning
Question 1

What was the most surprising thing you learned about animal needs during this project?

Text
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Question 2

To what extent do you think your zoo design effectively balances the animals' needs with budget constraints?

Scale
Required
Question 3

Which mathematical concept (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, scaling) did you find most critical in the zoo design process, and why?

Multiple choice
Required
Options
Addition
Subtraction
Multiplication
Division
Scaling
Question 4

How did collaborating with your team members contribute to the success (or challenges) of your zoo design?

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Required
Question 5

If you could redesign one aspect of your zoo, what would it be and why?

Text
Required