Biology
Learning Target 13
Name: _________________________________
Evidence of Evolution Project
Welcome to the Field Museum. You have been asked to create a
virtual exhibit detailing the evolutionary history of an organism.
Your task is to create a digital page, through Storehouse, that will
inform museum goers of the different types of evidence of
evolution that helped shape the evolutionary history of your
organism.
Your digital page should include the following:
1. Introduction (6 pts)
a. Name and description of your organism
b. Description of your organisms habitat
c. Description of how your organism is classified (what groups, Kingdom  Species, does it belong to?)
d. Pictures of your organism
e. First appearance in geologic time (when did this form first evolve?)
2. Morphological & Molecular Evidence (4 pts)
a. List of closest relatives
b. Annotated pictures highlighting similar features with closest relatives
c. Molecular similarities with closest relatives (what percentage does it have in common?)
d. Explain how morphological and molecular evidence shows evidence for evolution of your organism.
3. Homologous Structures (4 pts)
a. Find at least two other organisms with the same basic structure but different function
b. Include pictures/diagrams with explanations
c. Explain what homologous structures are and how they show evidence for evolution of your organism.
4. Vestigial Structures (4 pts)
a. Explanation of vestigial structures your organism may have
b. Annotated pictures/diagrams for vestigial structures
c. Explain what vestigial structures are and how they show evidence for evolution
5. Transitional Fossils (4 pts)
a. Diagrams/pictures of fossils for at least two recent ancestors of your organism
b. Explanation of how your organism is different in its current form
c. Explanation of what transitional fossils are and how they show evidence for evolution.
6. Comparative Embryology (3 pts)
a. Diagrams/pictures of your organism’s stages of development from embryo to adult
b. Explanation of comparative embryology and how it provides evidence for evolution.
7. Visual Appeal & Creativity
List of Possible Organisms:
-
Killer Whale
African Lion
American Black Bear
Timber Wolf
Great White Shark
Opossum
Mountain Lion
White-tailed Deer
Fruit Bat
Artic Fox
Elk
Asiatic Wild Horse
African Elephant
-
Polar Bear
Mallard Duck
Anaconda
Boa Constrictor
American Alligator
Chimpanzee
Baboon
Snapping Turtle
Bottlenose Dolphin
Bald Eagle
Green Sea Turtle
Asian Elephant
Rubric:
Introduction
_____/6
Morphological/Molecular
_____/4
Homologous Structures
_____/4
Vestigial Structures
_____/4
Transitional Fossils
_____/4
Comparative Embryology
_____/3
Visual Appeal/Creativity
_____/5
Total Points
Minimal Understanding:
16-20 pts
_______/30
Basic Understanding:
21-23 pts
Developing Mastery:
24-26 pts
Mastery:
27-30 pts