Description
Teams of two students will be quizzed on organisms which have become extinct, are on the endangered or threatened lists, or have been removed from such lists and the reasons behind these plants' and animals' extinctions or endangered statuses.

Number of Participants / Approximate Time
Up to 2 students / 50 minutes

The Competition
1. When shown photographs or sketches, teams will identify endangered or extinct plants and animals representing local, regional, national, and international species. The common name for the plant or animal will be an acceptable answer.
2. Students will respond to a series of general questions about threatened species including the destruction of habitats and the construction of new, protected wilderness areas; the dangers presented by humans including hunters and collectors; and the introduction of non-native species to a particular area.
3. Teams may be asked to relate success and failure stories of endangered and extinct species including how, when, where, and why such organisms became endangered or extinct and the conservation efforts that have been utilized or what could be done to protect these plants and/or animals.
4. Students will identify national and/or international organizations working to protect threatened species.

Students will have a maximum of 45 minutes to complete this event. Time is not a scoring factor.

Scoring
The team with the most correct responses will be declared the winner. Ties will be broken with pre-determined tie-breaker questions.

Last Updated: October 28, 2000

Copyright 2000, David Peters, ESO at Jacksonville High School and Science Olympiad.
Reproduction for educational use permitted.