Evolution Project
Related NGSS Standard:
HS-LS4-1. Communicate scientific information that
common ancestry and biological evolution are
supported by multiple lines of empirical evidence.
Project Description
Research the evolution of an organism of your choosing.
Choose an organism for which you can find all the required information. After researching,
make a clear and easy-to-understand report of your findings.
The format of the report can a Word document, Google document, PowerPoint, Google Slides,
or any other presentation format. Ask before submitting if you are unsure about your
submission format. Be sure to cite your sources!
Required Information
 Common name of organism
 Scientific name of organism
 Image of organism
 Habitat/Location where organism lives currently and throughout its evolutionary history
 Adaptations that help your organism survive in its environment.
 Description of fossil evidence in the evolution of your organism (may include images)
 Description of any molecular (DNA) evidence of changes in your organism
 Cladogram that shows organism’s evolutionary history
 Brief description of the organism’s evolution, history, and related species
Example
Evolution Project Rubric
General Requirements
0
1
2
Clarity
The project was not
clear enough to
evaluate or not
provided.
Project was not in an
approved format or parts
of the project were
unclear.
Project was in an
approved format and was
clear and easy to
understand.
Common name was
not provided
Scientific name was
not provided.
No habitat
information was not
provided.
Common name was
provided but incorrect
Scientific name was
provided but incorrect.
Habitat information was
provided but was
incorrect or only one
piece of information was
addressed.
Adaptations were
incorrect or adaptation
descriptions were
insufficient.
Fossil evidence was
inaccurate or insufficient.
Molecular evidence was
inaccurate or insufficient.
Common name is
provided and correct
Scientific name was
provided but incorrect.
Both modern habitat and
habitat throughout
evolutionary was
provided.
Cladogram was
inaccurate or insufficient.
Evolutionary history
information was
provided but was
incorrect or insufficient
Cladogram was present
and accurate.
Evolutionary history
information was present
and accurate.
Specific Information
Requirements
Common Name of
Organism
Scientific Name of
Organism
Habitat/Location
throughout evolutionary
history
Adaptations
No adaptations were
provided.
Fossil Evidence
No fossil evidence
provided.
No molecular
evidence is provided.
Molecular (DNA) Evidence
Cladogram
Description of evolutionary
history
Total Points Earned: _____
Total Points Possible: 18
No cladogram is
provided.
No description of
evolutionary history
was provided.
Adaptations of organism
are correct and are
described accurately.
Fossil evidence was
present and accurate.
Molecular evidence was
present and accurate.