Lesson Title (Description) |
Grade Level |
Lesson Type |
A Survey About Science Students conduct a survey about the nature of science, laws, theories, hypotheses, scientists, and evolution. |
9-12 |
Classroom activity |
Ancient Farmers of the Amazon In this activity, students find out about research being conducted on Amazon leafcutter ants. They also watch video segments to make their own virtual field observations and write their own research proposals. |
9-12 |
Classroom activity |
Biological warfare and the coevolutionary arms race The rough-skinned newt looks harmless enought but is, in fact, packed full of one of the most potent neurotoxins known to man. Find out how an evolutionary arms race has pushed these mild-mannered critters to the extremes of toxicity and how evolutionary biologists have unraveled their fascinating story. |
9-12 |
Article |
Comparing Explanatory Models This series of lessons introduces students to evolutionary reasoning and to the explanatory power of the Darwinian model of natural selection. |
9-12 |
Classroom activity |
Evo in the news: Conserving the kakapo This news brief, from April 2006, chronicles how researchers are using evolutionary theory to guide their strategies for conserving a critically endangered parrot - with some impressive results! |
9-12 |
Article |
Evo in the news: Evolving conservation strategies This news brief, from June 2007, explains how biologists are using evolutionary theory to protect the biodiversity that exists today and that may evolve tomorrow. |
9-12 |
Article |
Evo in the news: Happy 200th, Darwin! This news brief, from February 2009, celebrates Darwin's bicentennial by examining what we've learned about the evolution of the Galapagos finches since Darwin's time. |
9-12 |
Article |
Nature of science Understanding how science works allows one to easily distinguish science from non-science. Thus, to understand biological evolution, or any other science, it is essential to begin with the nature of science. |
9-12 |
Tutorial |
Not Just a Theory Students engage in an activity that clarifies the scientific meaning of the term theory. |
9-12 |
Classroom activity |
Parsimonious explanations for punctuated patterns Punctuated equilibrium is sometimes erroneously cited as evidence that evolutionary biology still hasn't figured out how evolution works. In fact nothing could be further from the truth. Punctuated equilibrium builds on (not tears down!) established evolutionary theory. Find out how the process works. This article appears at SpringerLink. |
9-12 |
Article |