Class presentation

[Transylvania]

Now that the AP Biology exam is over and the school year has winded down some, I asked my teacher if I could bring in my bearded dragon someday and do a presentation. He said I could, but I'm in a bit of a dilemma.
I'd be a lot more comfortable doing a tarantula presentation, but I think I could pull this off too if I can get some help from you guys.
My first and most important question is, how broad should I make the presentation? Reptiles? Squamata (snakes and lizards)? Just lizards? Or just bearded dragons? Or should I start with the most broad category and trickle down to bearded dragons?
Also, I need some ideas of what to include in the presentation. Keep in mind that this is a high school AP class, not an elementary school class. So I can't just settle for stuff like "reptiles are cold-blooded!" and "snakes eat mice!" I need good, advanced information that would be taught in an AP or college class. For example, things like the effect of temperature on gender determination in incubating bearded dragons - but I also need to include interesting things that would keep the kids awake lol. Things like that. By the way, I'll most likely be doing a PowerPoint presentation on this.
Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[El Viejo]

What about a presentation on the internal anatomy? You probably don't want to cut your beardie up for the demonstration, but maybe you can find some pictures online that you can use. You could discuss adaptations that allow them to live in the environment where they're found. Also, most people, no matter what age enjoy watching a critter eat, even if it's a bunch of leaves, but a cricket or a roach running for its life inside the enclosure is always a hit! Good luck.

 

[Triggerman73]

What about a presentation on the internal anatomy? You probably don't want to cut your beardie up for the demonstration, but maybe you can find some pictures online that you can use. You could discuss adaptations that allow them to live in the environment where they're found. Also, most people, no matter what age enjoy watching a critter eat, even if it's a bunch of leaves, but a cricket or a roach running for its life inside the enclosure is always a hit! Good luck.

Yea, that is why the song "Vicarious" is relevant haha ;P

 

[ZooRex]

I also vote for an adaptation discussion. Talk about how beardies are able to survive in the harsh land downunder. Maybe link it with convergent evolution and compare them with dessert iguanas or uros.

I'm glad to see someone else taking the time to create a "reptile day" for they're class. Last year I brought in my snakes and EVERY class wanted to see them - even History and Theatre lol. On Tuesday my AP Physics class is going to host a science day and I am again going to bring a few herps. Course I have it easy, only grades k-5th haha.

Yeah, the time sure is nice when AP Testing is over. Man those Bio essays...I'd like to say more but you never know who's behind the computer --paranoid glances--

 

[Transylvania]

Hmm... I like the idea of talking about adaptations like that. Thanks!
When studying the circulatory system, we briefly talked about how different animals have different numbers of chambers. So I may also mention the three-chambered heart (and the four-chambered in some species) and whatnot.
I guess I'll start out with taxonomy, then talk about reptiles in general and trickle down to bearded dragons before taking my beardie out and feeding him and passing him around. I know he'll be a hit. Even the people who haven't seen him yet already know he's just one awesome little dude!

The AP Bio test was just awful, that's all I'm gonna say. XD But I don't really care, because it's not like I can skip the class in college anyway, seeing as I'll be majoring in it. I just took this class because I really like the subject.

 

[Blonc]

When you talk about adaptions don't forget to mention that Bearded Dragons are beginning to develop venom in the wild. That should be interesting enough for them. Can't remember where I found that out though.

 

[Blonc]

try this link

 

[Transylvania]

Wow, that's hard to believe. If that's true, hopefully my beardie doesn't figure out that he may have venom (shh, don't tell him)! XD
I'll mention that article, but I won't state it as a proven fact. Thanks for sharing!