Evolution Unit Vodcast Project
Goal: to develop a 5-6 minute video about an evolution topic assigned.
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Note: Each group has a different topic and a different format to research. Some groups have a chapter out of a
book to read, others have a computer laboratory to complete, and some groups will conduct their own research.
Guidelines:
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mp4 format and give me the file from your USB drive or put on youtube and give me the link (the file
size cannot exceed 100MB). Save all raw footage just in case.
This video must be made by you, not just someone else’s video embedded into your own.
Include pictures and information. Can have narration by you and/or music. BE CREATIVE.
Start by making a “storyboard” and script (details to follow)
Include references
PLAN! You may need to organize time for your group to get together, you may need to use/reserve the
videocamera only for specific times. You may also need to assign group members different tasks
according to their abilities.
Hand in separately 3 focus questions that everyone should understand about your topic. they will be
posted with the video. DO NOT put your names or any other personal information on the video!!!
You will need to watch every video and take notes. It covers all the material for 3 evolution chapters
that we are not covering in class. You are being the “teachers” in this case.
Due Date of Storyboard and script: __________________________________________
Due Date of Final Video: _______________________________________
Helpful tips and sites:
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Camtasia – there is a free 30 day trial, does great mp4 videos with all the extras (this is what I use)
imovie -for Apple users
garageband - for Apple users
fileminx.com – a way to convert files to any format (such as mp4 so they are smaller in size)
ARKive.org – has great (and free) photos and video clips to embed
Voice Thread – makes narrated slideshows
Fotobabble – creates talking photos
Vimeo
Windows Live Movie Maker
Camstudio –video of computer screen capture
Audacity – will record audio as mp3
Evolution Vodcast Topics:
1. Whale Evolution – this group will complete a webquest and do internet search to gather information about
how whales have evolved and how these discoveries are important to human evolution.
Group member names: ______________________________________________________________________
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2. Neanderthal DNA/genome discoveries – this group will read an excerpt from Remarkable Creatures by Sean
Carroll and conduct internet research.
Group member names: ______________________________________________________________________
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3. Evolution of the Tuskless Elephant – this group will receive some data and will need to conduct internet
research to explain how the tuskless gene in elephant represents a perfect example of natural selection in
action right now. How is this related to the evolution of MRSA?
Group member names: ______________________________________________________________________
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4. Endosymbiotic Theory – this group will read about the theory in the textbook and conduct research on the
internet for more information to relate this to how eukaryotes have evolved.
Group member names: ______________________________________________________________________
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5. Galapagos Islands – this group will research about the islands importance to the theory of evolution and
research to explain how the Galapagos tortoise, finch, and marine iguana are used to support the theory of
natural selection/evolution.
Group member names: ______________________________________________________________________
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6. Evolution of the Eye – this group will read an excerpt from Your Inner Fish by Neil Shubin and conduct
further research online.
Group member names: ______________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
7. The K-T Boundary – this group will read an excerpt from Into the Jungle by Sean Carroll to explain about the
K-T boundary and how it relates to dinosaur fossils and extinction theories.
Group member names: ______________________________________________________________________
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8. Henry Walter Bates – this group will read an excerpt from Into the Jungle by Sean Carroll to tell us about his
contributions to the theory of evolution and the concept of mimicry.
Group member names: ______________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
9. The Leakey’s – this group will read an excerpt from Remarkable Creatures by Sean Carroll to explain about
the famous discoveries of Mary and Louis Leakey as they relate to evolution.
Group member names: ______________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
10. Alfred Wallace – this group will read an excerpt from Into the Jungle by Sean Carroll and conduct internet
research about Alfred Wallace’s contributions to science and the theory of evolution.
Group member names: ______________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
11. The Evolution of Ears and Hearing – this group will read an excerpt from Your Inner Fish by Sean Carroll to
explain how the ear and hearing has evolved over time.
Group member names: ______________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
12. Sickle Cell Anemia and Evolution – this group will read about this topic from an excerpt of Into the Jungle
by Sean Carroll, conduct internet research about sickle cell inheritance, and explain how this is an example of
natural selection and evolution.
Group member names: ______________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
13. Coevolution – this group will read about the topic in the textbook and conduct internet research to
explain what coevolution is and to give examples.
Group member names: ______________________________________________________________________
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14. The Guppy Experiment and Sexual Selection – this group will read about the Guppy Experiment from The
Greatest Show on Earth by Richard Dawkins and conduct internet research about the experiment and sexual
selection. Other examples of sexual selection should be mentioned.
Group member names: ______________________________________________________________________
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15. Why History Makes Us Sick – this group will read and excerpt from Your Inner Fish by Neil Shubin and
conduct internet research to explain about some idiosyncrasies in humans that are thought to be caused by
evolutionary changes.
Group member names: ______________________________________________________________________
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16. The Icefish – this group will watch a video excerpt from HHMI’s Making of the Fittest and conduct further
research on the internet to explain how the icefish is an example of natural selection. The genetics and
evolution of the actual gene should be included and related to the evolution of the hox gene.
Group member names: ______________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
17. It’s a Fishapod! – this group will read an excerpt from Remarkable Creatures by Sean Carroll and conduct
further research to discuss the importance of the discovery of the intermediate (“missing link”) fossil of
Tiktaalik.
Group member names: ______________________________________________________________________
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18. Getting a Grip - this group will read an excerpt from Your Inner Fish by Neil Shubin and conduct further
research to discuss how the anatomy of the arm and hand is similar in other animals and explain how this is
related to evolution.
Group member names: ______________________________________________________________________
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19. Natural Selection – this group will watch the video clip of HHMI’s Making of the Fittest about the rock
pocket mice and explain how they explain natural selection. Also include how this is similar to the peppered
moth as it relates to natural selection and evolution.
Group member names: ______________________________________________________________________
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20. Lactose Intolerance – this group will watch a series of animations from HHMI and conduct internet
research to explain how lactose tolerance is explained by evolution and natural selection.
Group member names: ______________________________________________________________________
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21. Charles Darwin – this group will read an excerpt from Into the Jungle by Sean Carroll and conduct internet
research to discuss the life of Charles Darwin and how Darwin created his theory of evolution.
Group member names: ______________________________________________________________________