Manatee Mansion
Objective:
Challenge your students to become architects and create a captive setting that will
meet all the manatee's needs, thereby encouraging breeding.
Grade Level: 9-12 grade
Materials:
- clay
- material scraps
- soil
- cardboard
- sticks
- sand
- foam rubber
- construction paper
- tissue paper
- paint
- any other building materials
Directions
1. Decide what species of manatee you'd like to exhibit.
2. Do some research on your manatee species to find out about its lifestyle. Take notes on information that will help you engineer your exhibit.
3. Make sure you include the following elements in your design:
- Feeding areas
- Viewing areas for visitors
- Landscaping
- Areas where Animal Care Specialists can isolate the manatees for medical care
- Shade
4. Draw your exhibit to use as a plan.
5. Create a model of the exhibit using materials such as cardboard, material scraps, clay, sticks, and foam rubber.
6. Write two graphic panels that guests could read to learn more about the manatees.
- Panels should be no more than 75 words long.
- Panels should be illustrated with a picture that shows each panel's theme.
- Panels should include information such as what country the animal is from (perhaps a map), something interesting about its lifestyle, and why it's threatened or endangered.
