Summary
You and your team of scientists are charged with the task of predicting evolution! As a team, you will select a target organism and predict how this creature may change in the following millennia. Each team member will search for evidence that supports the changes you predict in their area of expertise. For example, the paleontologist may examine fossil records to better understand how physical changes have resulted in species due to the changing world in the past. This information can then be used to support your claim for the change that will happen in your species.
TIPC Ratings
Target – Students had to research fossil records, historical changes in the earth, changes caused by prehistoric events, genetics, changes in the gene pool, how genetic changes in the past have resulted in various phenotypes that have been both successful and unsuccessful, geography of the world in shifting eras, how the climate of the world is changing, how the changing climate may affect the geography/physical features of areas related to your species, and anatomical/physiological changes that are adept for certain functions for survival. Each team member researched for evidence to support the changes they predicted in their area of expertise.
The students went to the Library and completed a lesson with the Librarians utilizing stations. They mainly used the internet for research; however, they also used books as supplementary materials. Here is a link to the activities. There were 5 work stations that utilized websites, presentations, comic books, journal articles, and videos.
Target – Students selected their own teams of four students and their own roles such as Paleontologist, Biochemist, Geologist/Meteorologist, Physiologist, and other roles as the team feels appropriate. As a team, they selected a target organism and predicted how the creature may change in the following millennia.
Their final product was in the form of a 8-10 minute presentation along with an oral presentation to the class. They needed to display a picture of their original creature and a picture of the organism that their group predicted that it would evolve into. Their stories were augmented by diagrams and images to help illustrate the changes that they described for their selected species. They created and collaborated on their presentations using google presentation, prezi, moviemaker, or a digital tool of their choice.
Target – These teams were charged with the task of of predicting evolution. This concept took a great deal of research and higher level thinking to make observations, analyze differences, and make predictions. This project crossed many realms of scientific study including evaluating fossils, genetics, geography, and physical adaptations over time. The students utilized books, websites, presentations, comic books, journal articles, and videos to make connections and predictions.
Target – The students were very creative when telling the story of how a drastically different species could evolve into what we see today. Based on research and the cyclical nature of evolution, students had to create and name a new millennial organism.
Afterwards the students completed a personal self reflection using a Google Form – here is a link to the responses.
Student Artifact
Lesson Materials
- Lesson Materials
- Student Reflection
