Some animals and plants don’t belong in certain places — but they end up there anyway. These are called invasive species, and they can harm the environment, hurt native species, and even damage human communities. Invasive species like zebra mussels, fire ants, lionfish, and cane toads are spreading fast in places like Colorado, Texas, and the oceans! 

Your class has been asked to become part of a Junior Conservation Engineering Team. Your job is to learn what invasive species are, how they spread, and how we can stop them — without hurting the environment. 

You will use the Engineering Design Process to research, plan, and create a solution that helps slow or stop the spread of one invasive species in your region or beyond. 

💡 Guiding Questions: 

• What is an invasive species, and how is it different from a native one? 

• How do invasive species harm other animals, plants, and ecosystems? 

• How do they get into new places — and how can we stop them? 

• What kinds of tools, traps, campaigns, or barriers could people create? 

✅ Your Project Will Include: 

• A case study of one invasive species (what it is, how it spreads, why it’s a problem) 

• A designed solution — a trap, alert system, prevention tool, or public education idea 

• A model or prototype using classroom materials to show how your solution works 

• A presentation or poster explaining your idea and how it helps protect the environment 

🎯 Learning Areas: 

• Science (ecosystems, food chains, biodiversity, human impact) 

• Engineering (problem-solving, prototyping, testing) 

• Math (measuring, modeling, data collection) 

• Reading & Writing (research, informational writing, presentations)