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	Process \| Resources \| Evaluation \| Conclusion
	Introduction & Mission A movie team has decided to create a horror movie about some kind of invaders. The problem is, they don't know what they want their invader(s) to be. They would like to have a real animal, plant or insect that has been introduced to the city. Using a classic movie formula, by introducing a non-native species into a new environment , the species will adopt strange behavior or cause a dangerous change of events which lead to the horrors portrayed in the movie. They have hired you to serve as a science advisor and give them a possible ‘enemy’ to introduce. The enemy doesn’t have to be large to be scary: it can be a house plant that takes over the city or even a hoard of insects. Non-native species introduction is a serious problem in the United States and throughout the world. Invasive species include plants, insects and animals. Species are introduced through various ways: hitchhiking in ballast water or cargo holds, pets or houseplants that are released in the wild, and intentional uses such as pest control.
	Process Break into groups of 3 people. Within each group, all members will be responsible for initial research. 1. Investigate real-world examples of non-native species introduction. Be sure to investigate: How the species were introduced: was it accidental or intentional? What about the species' new habitat allowed them to thrive? What effects did the introduced species have in the surrounding environment? How did it effect the animals, plants and other aspects of the biome? What role, if any, do humans play in the introduction? In what ways are they affected?
	2. After research and discussion in your group, prepare a recommendation for the movie makers as to a hypothetical species invasion. You will need to present this recommendation to your classmates. The movie makers will provide a great amount of exaggeration once they receive the proposal from you, so your hypothetical recommendation should be scientifically plausible. The movies makers will need to know: The 'enemy'. What species will invade? You should provide information about that species in its native habitat such as: diet habitat enemies/predators means of reproduction The 'setting'. Where will this species invade? Remember that this U.S. location will play a large role in how the species in introduced, and why it will thrive. Research your location to include in your report: Existing animals and plant life Temperature and relevant habitat information Human interaction: are there a lot of people in the setting? General description of the city: is it a major transportation hub? Is there a dock where a lot of ships come in? Is there a major research institution in the area? Include things that are relevant to the species introduction and propagation. The first 20 minutes of the movie. Describe the introduction method. Be specific... How many members of the species are introduced... Is this a one-time event or a continuous event? The 'plot'. Based on what you know about invasive species, make science-based predictions as to what will happen when the new species is introduced. Be sure to include what the animal eats that may be different than its existing diet effects on the local habitat of the new animal including humans biological diversity removal of other species (maybe this animal destroys) if any other populations increase as a result of the new species any predators of other animals that this animal destroys The 'happy ending'. Make recommendations as to how new species can be controlled. Can another new species be introduced for control? Can humans control the species with chemicals or hunting? You may have a couple of recommendations here. Within your group, you may find it easier for one member to be in charge of researching and describing the city, one in charge of defining and researching the 'creature', and one in charge of organizing the introduction method. You will need to work together to make sure these three are compatible. Based on your knowledge of each of the three, you can work as a group to predict potential outcomes.
	3. The non-scientific movie makers will want to know that this kind of thing can and has happened. Prepare a brief (1-2 paragraphs) write up of a real-world example of invasion that is similar to your proposed invasive species.
	Resources Researching Non-Native Species Invasion http://www.desertmuseum.org/ISSDE/Aquatic/Aquatictext.html This website gives an overview of the effects of fish in the waterway in the Sonoran Desert. It has how the native species were effected and how the species were introduced. http://www.anstaskforce.gov/ansimpact.htm The site has great definitions on the various aspects of invasive species. It has impacts and effects on the environment, economy and humans. The link to more information highlights different impacts of invasive species. http://tncweeds.ucdavis.edu/tncweeds.html This site has information on a species of an invasive plant. It describes the introduction, impact, and control of each plant. http://invasivespecies.org/ This site has databases on invasive species of plants, insects, and arthropods. Finding a City http://www.britannica.com/bcom/eb/article/5/0,5716,121245+12+111233,00.html has brief descriptions of different zones in the U.S., as well as a good list of information about other aspects of cities. http://www.worldclimate.com includes climate information for any city http://www.cdc.noaa.gov/USclimate/ includes search engine for finding temperature and precipitation of U.S. cities http://www.runet.edu/~swoodwar/CLASSES/GEOG235/biomes/intro.html describes the major kinds of biomes http://www.desertusa.com/life.html specific to U.S. deserts http://www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/temprain/temprain.html specific to temperate rainforests in Northwestern U.S. Finding a Species http://jj.seaworld.org/infobook.html includes general information about many different animals http://www.animalsoftherainforest.org/index.html detailed info of many animals living in the rainforest with links for more info about selected animals http://kidscience.about.com/kids/kidscience/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site= http%3A%2F%2Flibrary.thinkquest.org%2F11234%2Frainforest.html contains information about selected animals based on habitat: polar and mountain regions, savanna and grasslands, tropical forests, and woodland areas http://www.ask.com/main/askjeeves.asp?ask=animals&origin=0&site name=Jeeves&metasearch=yes&ads=&Ask%21.x=21&Ask%21.y=8 allows you to select which type of animal you want, and then select a specific animal.
	Evaluation Students will be assessed according to the following on a scale from 1 to 6: OVERALL: (6) scientific accuracy (6) creativity (6) use of sites/documentation of sites used FOR PRESENTATION: (6) organization- logical progression, easy to follow (6) clarity- syntax, grammar (6) teamwork- split up duties fairly, each member active in presentation (6) appropriate use of presentation tools Choices include: Powerpoint presentation, skit or play, or any other method approved by teacher PAPER OR OUTLINE (students' choice) and also the WRITE UP of their real-world example of invasion (#3 on web-site) (6) content (scientific accuracy, creativity) (6) style (clarity, organization)
	Conclusion Hopefully this project will help you to realize that science can be a lot of fun...and that movies aren't always so far-fetched. After completing this project you may find yourself in a theater watching a science-fiction movie, and suddenly you will start to separate the 'science' from the 'fiction'. A lot more of it may be science than you would have originally thought. You may even find that in your science class you think about different movie plots for all the strange organisms you are studying. Remember that creativity is a HUGE part of science. In the field of science, just about ANYTHING is possible. Keep your mind open, and maybe someday you will make a revolutionary discovery. But if that doesn't work, you can always put your creativity to use in Hollywood!