End of Year Biology Final Project Capstone Case Study NGSS STEELS Aligned

Something is killing Keystone River. Your students have to figure out why...and what to do about it.

This end of year biology project is a rigorous, story-driven capstone that challenges high school students to investigate an ecological crisis using evidence from every unit in your biology curriculum. Students work through 6 case file sections — each tied to a major biology concept — before synthesizing their findings in a choice-based final product.

What's Included:

• 6-section Student Case File (Ecology, Metabolism, Cells, Genetics, Evolution, Climate & Matter Cycling)
• Student Reference File
• Evidence Organizer
• 3 Choice-Based Final Synthesis Options: Written Report, Presentation, or Infographic
• Rubrics for all 3 final product formats
• Complete Teacher Guide & Lesson Plan
• Answer Keys

Why Teachers Love This: This isn't a review packet. Students read real data, build food webs, analyze enzyme activity, trace genetic patterns, and construct an argument. Then, present it to a simulated Town Council. Every section builds toward one biological story, making this a true cumulative assessment where students must connect all biology content they've learned.

Works great for: end of year biology, cumulative biology project, high school biology capstone, biology final project, environmental science crossover