Eco-Postcards
For this assignment, you will create a series of four photographs/images with extended captions documenting a plant/animal/insect species in its natural habitat. Ideally, we would like you to choose a species that can be found in a local space that you are able to visit and observe, such as the Campus Woods or any of the Dayton area Metro/State Parks. We understand, however, that not everyone may be able to access a local space, so you might use your own yard/garden (if you have one) or choose a species that is easily found in the Midwest region. The aim here is to connect to a sense of locality and shared space. Also, keep in mind that you will build from this first assignment when you write your Nonhuman Story from the perspective of the species that you choose, so try to focus on an organism that interests you and engages your imagination.
Images may be photographs that you take yourself or ones that you find online (be sure to credit anything not in the public domain); you could create your own illustrations or you could have a combination of photos and drawings. Images must be clear and of good quality when uploaded to your website. The captioned content that accompanies each image should provide scientific/biological information about the species, such as its taxonomy, morphology, physiology, life cycle, food resources, behavior, enemies, striking features, geographical range, and ecological importance. The content and sequencing of “postcards” should offer a logical organization. For example, you might order your postcards by answering the following questions:
You will obviously need to do research on your species, though the written content of the postcards should be in your own words as much as possible; you must cite all sources at the bottom of your Eco-Postcards page and provide hyperlinks to anything you accessed online. Also make sure the formatting and placement of images and text are clear and visually appealing. The assignment must be posted on your website with a Word copy of all written components submitted to the Pilot dropbox by Sunday, Sep 20 (11:59 pm).
Images may be photographs that you take yourself or ones that you find online (be sure to credit anything not in the public domain); you could create your own illustrations or you could have a combination of photos and drawings. Images must be clear and of good quality when uploaded to your website. The captioned content that accompanies each image should provide scientific/biological information about the species, such as its taxonomy, morphology, physiology, life cycle, food resources, behavior, enemies, striking features, geographical range, and ecological importance. The content and sequencing of “postcards” should offer a logical organization. For example, you might order your postcards by answering the following questions:
- What is it? Provide a basic description of the species.
- How does it live? Describe life cycle, food resources, habitat.
- What does it do? Explain behaviors and striking features.
- Why is it important? Identify its ecological role and relations.
You will obviously need to do research on your species, though the written content of the postcards should be in your own words as much as possible; you must cite all sources at the bottom of your Eco-Postcards page and provide hyperlinks to anything you accessed online. Also make sure the formatting and placement of images and text are clear and visually appealing. The assignment must be posted on your website with a Word copy of all written components submitted to the Pilot dropbox by Sunday, Sep 20 (11:59 pm).
