Name: ________________________________________ Date: ______________________ Class: ______

Superheroes have captured our imaginations for decades! Most get their powers in some unlikely way. Peter Parker, for example, was changed into Spider Man by the bite of a radioactive spider. Bruce Banner became the Hulk after standing too close to a nuclear explosion. Some, though, get their powers through technology. Iron Man has powered armor and Batman has a host of cool gadgets. In comic books and in the movies, most of the superpowers we read about or see on the big screen can be examined in a scientific way. Guiding Question: How can a Superhero’s special powers be related to science?

Your task is to create a unique and interesting superhero with a special science-related power. Deliverables within 3 content areas Genetics, Ecology, & Evolution, must be complete before finalizing your superhero. Deliverables will be in the form of #1 probability worksheets, #2 a poster, and #3 an essay. A skit is extra credit (optional).

I. Genetics: (Go to marvel.com or dccomics.com and click on characters. Browse different characters until you find a suitable mother and father superhero. You then must record 15 traits for both mom and dad. Record the traits on scrap paper at first and then you may put your final copy into this packet later. A trait is something the parents can pass on to the baby. For example, one can pass on super powers to a baby but not a job or where one grew up.

A. How do you find traits? Refer to the 3 arrows below:

7 Traits have been mapped out for you. You must come up with the remaining 8. You may use: Height Weight Hair Type (you may be able to figure out from a picture whether it is straight or curly, etc)

For additional Traits, click on Characters. Choose a character, read more on the Marvel Universe Wiki or DC Comics Universe Wiki Look at the power-grid and use everything listed there as a trait. Go with the official ratings and not the fan ratings. If something is rated a 1 or a 2 = low. Example: low intelligence If something is rated 3, 4, 5 = medium. Example: medium strength If something is rated a 6 or a 7 = high. Example: high durability

For Super Powers, click on Powers and write down all the powers your superhero has. Each power may be used as a trait as well. You may also find some traits under abilities section too. You can also find traits by reading about the character and looking at the character’s picture.

***Remember that a trait is a characteristic passed onto offsprings and coded for by DNA located within the gene of a chromosome***

Be very specific with your traits. Make sure you know what the words and powers mean because you will have to write a story about the baby later. Ask if you don’t know what a word means

Final Exam PBL Superhero Science

Project

Rules for Probability Worksheets Probability Worksheets

B. Determining Super Hero Traits & Alleles

_____ Once you feel you have 15 good traits that seem like something that can be passed on genetically to a baby, record all traits in the probability worksheet #1: Super Hero Traits & Alleles provided in this packet.

_____ Flip a coin to determine which trait is dominant over the other. Heads for dominant and tails for recessive.

C. Determining the Genotype (Alleles) of each Super Hero Parent

Predict the genotype (alleles) of each parent based upon their phenotype (characteristics on the website). If both parents have the same trait (example both have blue eyes), toss a coin to see whether it is dominant or not, then both mom and dad’s traits will either be dominant or they both will be recessive.

**** Once you figure out which trait is dominant, you can choose whether it is homozygous dominant (example-BB) or heterozygous dominant (example Bb). Be sure that at least 6 of your dominant traits are heterozygous (example Bb).

_____ Record the traits of the parents in the probability worksheet #2: Parents’ Table

D. Determining the Gender of the Baby

_____ Toss a coin to decide whether your chosen mates will have a boy or a girl child. Heads will be female (XX) and tails will be male (XY). You need to make it a chance just like real life!

E. How to Show What the Baby Will Look Like

Now determine the probability (chance) of the child expressing each trait (genotypic ratio). You may create a Punnett square for each on scrap paper. You will then choose the trait with the highest probability (unless otherwise noted).

**** If there is an even chance of trait expression (50-50 chance) you will simply choose the trait. (this doesn’t happen in real life-I just came up with this rule)

_____ Record all the child’s traits on the probability worksheet #3 provided.

_____ Name the “baby” superhero with an interesting, appropriate name and record on the trait worksheet.

_____ Create a colored picture of your superhero baby all grown up! The picture of the superhero should match his/her traits.

I love drawings! If you are a good artist then draw your picture. If you like to use computers, you may make a computer picture of what your baby superhero will

look like all grown up. Be sure to label all 15 traits on the picture Some website suggestions:

Marvel.com has a superhero builder section (often found at the bottom of the homepage.) Heromachine.com

Name____________________________________Date_______________________Period______

Superhero Science ProjectDeliverable # 1a: Complete and Submit All Probability Worksheets.

Write Neatly: Probability Worksheet #1: Super Hero Traits and Alleles

Characteristics Traits and Alleles Traits and Alleles

1. Super Strength Muscular (SS, Ss) Regular (ss)

2. Elasticity Elastic (ee) Normal (EE, Ee)

3. Vision/Hearing Extra (XX, Xx) Normal (xx)

4. Flying Flyer (ff) Flightless (FF, Ff)

5. Height Tall (TT, Tt) Short (tt)

6. Hair Color Dark (DD, Dd) Light (dd)

7. Eye Color Brown (BB, Bb) Light (bb)

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

Name____________________________________Date_______________________Period______

Superhero Science Project Deliverable # 1b: Complete and Submit All Probability Worksheets.

Write Neatly: Probability Worksheet #2: Parents’ Table with Super Hero Family Traits

Traits Female (Mom)

Genotype

Female (Mom)

Phenotype

Male(Dad)

Genotype

Male(Dad)

Phenotype

Genotypic Probability of the

Offspring

Super Speed Gg Super Gg Super 1GG: 2Gg:1gg1. Super Strength

2. Elasticity

3. Vision/Hearing

4. Flying

5. Height

6. Hair Color

7. Eye Color

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

Name____________________________________Date_______________________Period______

Superhero Science ProjectDeliverable # 1c: Complete and Submit All Probability Worksheets.

Write Neatly: Probability Worksheet #3: Offspring’s Table with Super Hero Traits

Traits Offspring Genotype Offspring Phenotype

1. Super Strength

2. Elasticity

3. Vision/Hearing

4. Flying

5. Height

6. Hair Color

7. Eye Color

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

II. Evolution: (Describe how your superhero received his/her special power and how he/she has evolved over time. Your description must be related to a field of science and topic related to it. For Ex. physical science topics: matter, force, motion, energy, and waves.) ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Name____________________________________Date_______________________Period______

Superhero Science ProjectIII. Ecology: (Describe the biome where the superhero is from. Identify the types of flora & fauna that reside there as well as the temperature and climate. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Deliverable #2: Chart Paper Poster Presentation: Create a poster that shows your superhero’s name, science-related special power, Emblem/Symbol, Costume, & 15 Traits.

Superhero Name: _______________________________________________________ (Be Creative)

Superhero Science-Related Special Power: ___________________________________ (Create One)

Explanation of Science-Related Special Power: __________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

Superhero Gender: _____________

Superhero Emblem or Symbol:

Rough draft only. Final draft on Poster

Superhero Costume Design:

Rough draft only. Final draft on Poster

Name____________________________________Date_______________________Period______

Superhero Science Project Deliverable #3: Essay

_____ Requirements: Compile all the information you gathered regarding Genetics, Evolution, & Genetics and write an essay of the life of the superhero from baby to adulthood.

Also include the following:

1. Parent Info: Describe who the parents are and their powers. Explain how the parents of the superhero met. (make it up using the parent’s background from Marvel site)

2. Ecology Input: Describe where the parents live (Biome) with their new super hero baby. (Describe the biome and create a name for the city/country -it can be a pretend or real place. Identify the types of flora & fauna that reside there as well as the temperature & climate)

3. Childhood Info: State when was the baby born and where. What was the baby hero’s childhood and life like growing up? Was it tough to be a superhero or was it great…tell me about it!

4. Genetics Input: Provide the physical description of your superhero. (Use all 15 traits to help) 5. Evolution Input: Describe the special powers your superhero received and how he/she evolved

over time. Your description must include one special power related to a field of science. Also explain what the superhero did with the inherited super powers. Share an exciting adventure your superhero was involved in as an adult that involved using his/her powers and traits.

Be sure to work as many of the baby’s traits as possible throughout the story. The Essay must be at least two pages. Be sure the essay is well written with few spelling errors, has smooth & appropriate transitions,

well-formed paragraphs and sentences, great word choice and it should be an interesting story.

This Project is Due May 15 for B-Day & May 16 for A-Day. Presentations will take place on those dates as well.

Superhero Science Project RubricPoints: 10 15 20 25 30 TotalProbability Worksheets

Completed 1 of the 5

requirements

Completed 2 of the 5

requirements

Completed 3 of the 5

requirements

Completed 4 of the 5

requirements

Turned in All 3 Probability Worksheets

Provided Phenotype

(characteristics) for each

traitProvided Genotype

(alleles) for each trait

Poster Displays 1 of the 5

requirements

Displays 2 of the 5

requirements

Displays 3 of the 5

requirements

Displays 4 of the 5

requirements

Displays Super Hero’s name,

special science power,

emblem/symbol, costume,

15 traitsEssay Includes all

parts related to 1 of the 5 requirements

Includes all parts related to 2 of the 5 requirements

Includes all parts related to 3 of the 5 requirements

Includes all parts related to 4 of the 5 requirements

Includes all parts related to the Parent Info, Ecology

Input, Childhood Info, Genetics Input,

& Evolution Input

Individual Cooperati

ve Learning

Student met 2 of the 3

requirements

Student provided

creative input into the project. Student

helped with written

portions of the project.

Student visually & verbally

participated in the project presentation.

Student #1 Cooperative Score

Student #2 Cooperative Score

Student #3 Cooperative Score

Student Name #1 Student #1 TotalStudent Name #2 Student #2 Total

Student Name #3 Student #3 Total

Extra Credit

5 10 15 20

Group Skit

Script was not turned in, the

presentation was unorganized with

few science facts.

Script was turned in, the presentation

was organized, but contained

only 2-3 science facts.

Script was turned in, the presentation

was organized, but contained only 4 science

facts.

Script was turned in, the presentation

was organized, and contained 5

science facts.

Total

EXTRA CREDIT…

Presentation Skit (Optional): This project is designed for individuals, but your presentation or skit must include everyone in your group!

Skit must be at least 5 minutes long but no more than 8 minutes long. The skit must describe an event that takes place in a science laboratory by an evil villain (you can make

up the villain too if you like or use an existing villain from a comic book or a movie). All skits must be performed in the science classroom. All skits must include at least 5 important facts learned this year in science.

BE SPECIFIC! If you need any special props, please ask the teacher before you bring them to school. The teacher

may have something in the storage room for you to use as a replacement. You must have a typed script for your group’s skit.

Sample Script from Spider-Man-movie by James Cameron:

Peter, working with Mary Jane to finish the science project, discovers that she is a big Spider Man fan. She thinks he is mysterious and romantic... someone with courage and conviction. And she relates to his need for a mask. To keep his inner self private.

Peter wants so much to tell her... but he can't now that he is a wanted criminal.

He follows her after school and she goes by herself to her private place. The place she goes to think. None of her friends even know about it. He watches her from a high place.

ON MARY JANE, walking home. She is being followed by some punks. They accost her. There is no one around to help.

She screams and they drag her off the street into an abandoned junk-yard. Suddenly, Spider Man is there. He trounces the attackers and webs them up. He knows by now that without a crime actually taking place, the cops won't even hold these guys, so all he can do is warn them.

SPIDER MAN

If you worthless chunks of vomit show your faces around here again, I'll decorate my Christmas tree with your intestines. Got it? They get it. They're still worthless chunks of vomit, but at least they'll be somewhere else. He picks Mary Jane up and whisks her through the air, swinging from roof to roof.

Remember to attach a typed copy of your group’s script to this rubric.