Introduction
Investigating Evolution
Evolution is an often confusing concept for many biology students. Pause and think for a minute about what you already know about evolution.
What images come to mind? What have you learned about evolution in school? Is evolution a theory? Is it factual? What is the scientific evidence for evolution? Does evolution conflict with the beliefs of the Catholic Church? Are creationism and intelligent design theories? These are a few of the questions you will answer as you and your Discovery Team investigate
evolution!
Task
Each person in your Discovery Team will investigate a different aspect relating to evolution.
Discovery Team members:
Historian: Creates an evolution theory timeline.
Role 1: Historian
As the historian, you will research the development of evolutionary theory. A historian is an expert in history, someone who writes or compiles a chronological record of events. Some questions to consider: What were the earliest ideas about evolution? How did the theory progress over time? Who are the major contributors to the current theory? When and where did they do their work? How is the research in Paleontology important to evolution? What is the history of human evolution? Put your research in chronological order to create a timeline.
Internet Links
A clear and easy to read history and development of evolutionary theory. Some links. http://www.emc.maricopa.edu/faculty/farabee/biobk/BioBookEVOLI.htmlAmerican Institute of Biological Science. Easy to read and well organized article summarizing evolution by Dr. Richard Lenski. Lots of links to other websites. http://www.actionbioscience.org/evolution/lenski.htmlPublic Television�s site with many links, videos, and lessons. Topics include: Darwin, Change, Extinction, Sex, Survival, Humans, Religion. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/evolution/University of California School of Paleontology website. Topics: What is evolution and how does it work? How does evolution impact my life? What is the evidence for evolution? What is the history of evolution? http://evolution.berkeley.edu/Brief summary about Charles Darwin http://www.blupete.com/Literature/Biographies/Science/Darwin.htmInstitute of Human Origins and Arizona State University. Documentary Video about human origins. http://www.becominghuman.org/
Scientist: Describes in detail the theory.
Role 2: Scientist
As the scientist, you will summarize the main ideas and details of evolution. A scientist is someone with systematic knowledge and understanding of the physical or material world gained through observation and experimentation. Some questions to consider: What are the main ideas of evolution? Are there any unanswered questions? How can geographic isolation change a population's gene pool?
Include the following concepts: natural selection, speciation, geographic isolation, reproductive isolation, genetic drift, gene flow, gradualism, adaptive radiation, punctuated equilibrium, divergent evolution, and convergent evolution
Internet Links
American Institute of Biological Science. Easy to read and well organized article summarizing evolution by Dr. Richard Lenski. Lots of links to other websites. http://www.actionbioscience.org/evolution/lenski.htmlPublic Television�s site with many links, videos, and lessons. Topics include: Darwin, Change, Extinction, Sex, Survival, Humans, Religion. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/evolution/University of California School of Paleontology website. Topics: What is evolution and how does it work? How does evolution impact my life? What is the evidence for evolution? What is the history of evolution? http://evolution.berkeley.edu/Harvard University -- Biology Links: Evolution A site for reference resources and links to topics related to evolution. http://www.mcb.harvard.edu/BioLinks/Evolution.htmlEvolution at Old Dominion University Course specific materials on evolution and a list of useful links to a variety of web resources on evolutionary biology. http://www.lions.odu.edu/~kkilburn/evohome.htmWorldwide Network for Evolutionary Biology A wide variety of resources for the evolution biology community. Educators can consult listings of classroom resources for institutions at all levels. Software and other materials are available. The site is funded by the National Science Foundation. http://evonet.sdsc.eduNational Academy of Science. Can view reports and papers. Higher level material http://nationalacademies.org/evolution/Simple question-answer format. Good links. http://www.evolutionhappens.net/University of Cambridge website features the complete works of Darwin http://darwin-online.org.uk/majorworks.html
Logician: Presents the scientific evidence for evolution.
Role 3: Logician
As the logician, you will describe the evidence for evolution. A logician is someone skilled in logic, the use of reasoning or argumentation. Some questions to consider: Is evolution a theory or fact? What facts support evolution? What studies support evolution?
Include the following concepts: homologous structures, analogous structures, vestigial structures, fossil record (geologic time scale), embryology DNA, artificial selection (domestic breeding)
Internet Links
American Institute of Biological Science. Easy to read and well organized article summarizing evolution by Dr. Richard Lenski. Lots of links to other websites. http://www.actionbioscience.org/evolution/lenski.htmlPublic Television�s site with many links, videos, and lessons. Topics include: Darwin, Change, Extinction, Sex, Survival, Humans, Religion. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/evolution/University of California School of Paleontology website. Topics: What is evolution and how does it work? How does evolution impact my life? What is the evidence for evolution? What is the history of evolution? http://evolution.berkeley.edu/A website that supports evolution with lots of links. http://www.talkorigins.orgHarvard University -- Biology Links: Evolution A site for reference resources and links to topics related to evolution. http://www.mcb.harvard.edu/BioLinks/Evolution.htmlWorldwide Network for Evolutionary Biology A wide variety of resources for the evolution biology community. Educators can consult listings of classroom resources for institutions at all levels. Software and other materials are available. The site is funded by the National Science Foundation. http://evonet.sdsc.eduInstitute of Human Origins and Arizona State University. Documentary Video about human origins. http://www.becominghuman.org/Dr. Gould on evolution. http://www.stephenjaygould.org/library/gould_fact-and-theory.htmlVirtual tour, "Web Geologic Time Machine." Shows geologic history. http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/help/timeform.html
Theologian: Summarizes the views of evolution, intelligent design, and fundamentalism.
Role 4: Theologian
As the theologian, you will summarize various views of evolution. A theologian is someone who understands theology, religious truth. Some questions to consider:
Did the theory of evolution cause Darwin to question his faith?
Requirements:
1. Write a paper or outline summarizing your research, include a glossary and sources.
2. Create a visual presentation from your research.
3. Present your research to your Discovery Team for review and critique.
4. Whole class presentation.
The visual presentation:
Choose one of the following to enhance and support your verbal presentation
to your Discovery Team and class.
* poster or flipchart pages
* collection of pictures
* brochure
* handouts
* printed PowerPoint pages
* another idea? (please see your teacher)
Process
1. Your Biology teacher will assign you to a Discovery Team.
2. Meet with your Discovery Team and decide who will take each role.
3. Read the job description for your role.
4. Read the evaluation rubric.
5. Research. You have four biology class periods, including today.
6. Write an outline or paper summarizing your research. Make 3 copies, one for everyone on your Discovery Team.
7. Create a visual presentation of your research. (See the Task page).
8. Present your research to your Discovery Team for review and critique.
9. Whole class presentation.
Evaluation
Individual Final Grade:
Meet the following criteria for full points.
1. Content:
All questions completely answered, and rationales for the answers were clearly stated. (20 points)
2. Task:
All areas of the task were addressed and handled with a high degree of sophistication. The team demonstrated a great deal of thought. Good use of class time. (20 points)
3. Process: Teamwork
It is evident that a mutual effort and cohesive unit created the final product. (20 points)
4. Process: Written, Visual, and Verbal Expression
The ideas expressed by the work demonstrated a high degree of clarity, organization, and creativity. (20 points)
5. Details: Grammar, Format, and Spelling
The final body of work was free of grammar, spelling, and formatting errors. (20 points)
Total: 100 points.
Peer Review:
When you meet with your Discovery Team for peer review and critique, you will use a rubric to give feedback to each other. Please complete the peer review rubric with honesty, giving specific suggestions. Even though you won't receive points for completing these peer review rubrics, your
feedback is necessary. Remember, the better the presentations, the more you learn. Finally, an important part of this process is listening to the feedback and making the suggested improvements.
Conclusion
Thank you for investigating evolution and sharing your research with your Discovery Team.
From this process, you understand and know the following:
1. The history of evolutionary theory.
2. The main ideas and details of evolution, including vocabulary.
3. The scientific evidence for evolution, including vocabulary.
4. Darwin's views on evolution.
Congratulations, that's a lot to learn! Now, prepare to take a test on evolution. I will announce the date.