KellyJ Posted June 20, 2009 Share Posted June 20, 2009 My 11th grade daughter has done all of the usual science courses (General, Earth, Physical, Biology, Physics) up to this point. This year she has asked to do some "practical" large mammal studies. Any suggestions at all??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kathy in MD Posted June 20, 2009 Share Posted June 20, 2009 (edited) My 11th grade daughter has done all of the usual science courses (General, Earth, Physical, Biology, Physics) up to this point. This year she has asked to do some "practical" large mammal studies. Any suggestions at all??? Are you up for designing your own course? Mammal behavior - Observe mammal behavior and interactions in zoo and in the wild Prey-predator interactions and how affects the environment moose-wolves @ Isle Royale elk - wolves @ Yellowstone fox -coyote - wolf in the south west Overpopulation and underpopulation effects on the environment Excess deer on forest regeneration and other species competing for fall mast supplies(acorn, etc) Lack of predators Mammals other than man modifying the environment Beaver, elephants, etc How man has modified species for domestication How the basic mammalian/chordate body plan has been modified for their lifestyle A few sources for info and field work: Yellowstone Institute National park science departments Research org. tied to national parks Earth Watch Zoos Smithsonian -- researchers -- "bone" hall -- Naturalist Center Nature centers, etc for classes. If your dd can narrow it down, I'll try to give a bit more help. Edited June 20, 2009 by Kathy in MD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KellyJ Posted June 20, 2009 Author Share Posted June 20, 2009 I'll talk more with her and get back with you...Thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LoriM Posted June 20, 2009 Share Posted June 20, 2009 I'd also suggest contacting your local Natural Science museum and find out what specimens they house. She might be able to do some hands-on observational work...and if they have living specimens (ours has otters), she might be able to do some data collection and analysis. Heck, even with a collection of skeletons or pelts, she can collect data and do some analysis. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle in AL Posted June 20, 2009 Share Posted June 20, 2009 You could consider a college Zoology text if you wanted a spine for all the great ideas above. Too cool! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Storm Bay Posted June 20, 2009 Share Posted June 20, 2009 How about a course in ethology (animal behaviour) or animal ecology? You can do some great independent studies in ethology. I have no idea of a current textbook on this, of course, as biology changes so fast. These were my favourite biology studies, in part because the professor I had for them was really big on teaching theory and then having us apply it. I'm not big on memorization, but excelled in understanding and application of theory (I aced his finals and most students who were good at memorizing found them hard.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CO MOM Posted June 21, 2009 Share Posted June 21, 2009 It might be interesting to contact a large animal vet as well if she is at all interested in that aspect. Also state wildlife and/or national forest/park people may be able to share some ideas or allow some job shadowing to give some practical application to the knowledge. Sometimes they are doing field research that might be interesting and she could volunteer to help with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KellyJ Posted June 25, 2009 Author Share Posted June 25, 2009 Thank you all so much for your wonderful ideas. Although, I've schooled my children classically, I'm rather new to these boards and am loving them! We live in a rural area, so I think by combining many of your suggestions, I will be able to come up with something quite educational that she will enjoy, too. Any further input would be great, too! :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassoonaroo Posted June 25, 2009 Share Posted June 25, 2009 My 11th grade daughter has done all of the usual science courses (General, Earth, Physical, Biology, Physics) up to this point. This year she has asked to do some "practical" large mammal studies. Any suggestions at all??? Okay, I'm tired here. All I could think was that when I was her age I was into "practical large mammal studies" too. It was called looking at the good-looking guys in my classes. The only idea I can come up for a traditional class is Apologia's Marine Biology class. But, instead of a traditional class, how about working, volunteering, or "shadowing" at a zoo, farm, or vet office? Something hands on... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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