Natural Selection WebQuest

Introduction

Greetings Scholars! On this WebQuest adventure we will be expanding our knowledge and diving into natural selection and evolution. The purpose of this WebQuest is to learn more about natural selection. Our focus question is "What big factors have caused the evolution and diversity of organisms?" 

Objectives: 

1. Describe the important observations that Darwin made on his voyage and what struck him about his observations. 

2. Explain how natural selection leads to evolution.

3. State evidence that supports the theory of evolution.

4. Identify factors that have contributed to the diversity of species. 

Task

1. Watch the video about Darwin and Wallace (see link under Process)

2. Complete Questions about video

3. Interactive Lab - Ecology/Food Webs 

4. Project - Create a 3D model, picture book, or Google Slide presentation 

Process

Activity 1: Watch video about Darwin and Wallace's journey - Record your notes in your science notebook

https://www.hhmi.org/biointeractive/origin-species-making-theory 

 

Activity 2: Questions to answer - record in science notebook under your video notes 

Use the following links to help guide your research and answer the following questions: 

Note: Additional websites can be used to further research if necessary. Please make sure these are reliable sources of information and don't forget to include them in your notes if you use outside links. 

            a. https://www.darwins-theory-of-evolution.com/

            b. https://www.livescience.com/474-controversy-evolution-works.html

            c. https://www.khanacademy.org/science/biology/her/evolution-and-natural-selection/a/darwin-evolution-natural-selection

1. Why would organisms change? 

2. What are the causes of genetic diversity? 

3. If the environment changes, how might that affect the importance of variations in a species? 

 

Activity 3: Ecology Lab - 

1. Use the link below to access the interactive lab

 http://www.learner.org/courses/envsci/interactives/ecology/index.php

2. Read the information under Producers and Food Webs (Click the link for challenge, step 1 and 2, and for your consideration). You do not have to write out a response to the questions in Step 1 and 2, but be thinking about a response that you might provide. 

3. Download the Data table provided in "Overview" and Open the Simulator 

4. Complete the table after using the Simulator

5. Be ready to share in class! 

 

Activity 4: Project 

Produce a 3D model, picture book, or Google slide presentation of an imaginary creature which has evolved from the past, or will evolve into the future. Complete with scientific and common names, a description of its habitat, and the adaptations for the creature. Include and provide information of its evolutionary path and how it fits into the laws of natural selection. 

Evaluation

 Points Possible: 

Video Notes: 10 points

 Interactive Lab Data Chart: 10 points 

Project: 30 points (20 points for project & 10 points for oral presentation)

Total: 50 points 

Conclusion

I hope you enjoyed this WebQuest and gained a better, deeper understanding into natural selection and evolution! 

  • Science Notebooks will be placed on the classroom shelf for McVey - Period 1 and 3 Science 
  • Projects will be presented in class. This is not optional. Don't forgot to sign up during class on Monday! 
  • Project evaluations will be handed out once presentations are complete

 

Credits

Teacher Page

This WebQuest is to expand the knowledge of natural selection and evolution. After completing several lessons in class students have the opportunity to engage in this WebQuest. This can also be used as a final wrap up of the chapter.

NGSS covered: 

MS-LS4-2. Apply scientific ideas to construct an explanation for the anatomical similarities and differences among modern organisms and between modern and fossil organisms to infer evolutionary relationships. [Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on explanations of the evolutionary relationships among organisms in terms of similarity or differences of the gross appearance of anatomical structures.]

HS-LS4-5. Evaluate the evidence supporting claims that changes in environmental conditions may result in (1) increases in the number of individuals of some species, (2) the emergence of new species over time, and (3) the extinction of other species. [Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on determining cause and effect relationships for how changes to the environment such as deforestation, fishing, application of fertilizers, drought, flood, and the rate of change of the environment affect distribution or disappearance of traits in species.]

HS-LS4-6.       Create or revise a simulation to test a solution to mitigate adverse impacts of human activity on biodiversity [Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on testing solutions for a proposed problem related to threatened or endangered species, or to genetic variation of organisms for multiple species.]

Common Core State Standards Covered:

English Language Arts

RST.6-8.1. Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of science and technical texts, attending to the precise details of explanations or descriptions.

RST.6-8.2 Determine the central ideas or conclusions of a text; provide an accurate summary of the text distinct from prior knowledge or opinions.

RST.6-8.9 Compare and contrast the information gained from experiments, simulations, video, or multimedia sources with that gained from reading a text on the same topic.