http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/evolution/educators/lessons/lesson3/act2.html
Activity 2 Teacher Notes: Evidence for Evolution WebQuest
In a WebQuest, students work in teams to conduct research on selected Web sites and
then report their findings. In this Evolution WebQuest, specialists will gather evidence
from the fields of paleontology, anatomy and physiology, and molecular biology. They will
present their findings to the class.
Learning Goals
• To show students how different branches of science work together to support a theory
• To help students understand how scientists collect and organize evidence for evolution
Procedures
1. This activity will probably take two class periods. On the first day students can begin
their research and discuss the format of their presentations. Then for homework they
can finish their research and prepare their presentations, which will be given on the
second day.
2. Divide the class into small groups (groups of six work well). Assign two students from
each group to be molecular biologists, two to be anatomists or physiologists, and two
to be paleontologists.
3. Students will find a list of recommended Web sites on the Student Page. They should
visit the sites assigned to their specialty, and then look for additional sites if they have
time. Each pair of students (the specialists on one team) should find four to five
examples of evidence for evolution.
4. Distribute chart paper, markers, and rulers to each group, so they can create their
charts.
5. On the second day of class, have the students make their presentations. Suggest that
each presenter try to provide new examples if possible to avoid repetition. Encourage
students to ask the presenters questions.
6. Discuss how the type of evidence gathered depended on the historical time period.
Conclusion
At the conclusion of this WebQuest, students will have a better appreciation for the
validity of the theory of evolution because they will understand that the evidence comes
from a wide range of scientific disciplines. They will also have gained experience in
collaborating with their peers, an essential skill for aspiring scientists.
Evidence for Evolution WebQuest
Theodosius Dobzhansky, a geneticist whose work influenced 20th century
research on evolutionary theory, said, "Nothing in biology makes sense, except in
light of evolution." This quote emphasizes the role of evolution as the most
important unifying principle in biology. Living things might, at first, seem very
diverse, but closer inspection reveals a surprising unity. This unity, or common
ancestry, can be explained by evolutionary Theory. With such an important theory
at stake, it is essential to understand the evidence upon which it is based.
The Task
In this Evolution WebQuest you will investigate a variety of types of
evidence for evolution. Your team will be responsible for learning about
fossil evidence, structural evidence, and genetic evidence for evolution
and presenting this information to the class.
The Process
1. Your teacher will assign you to a group of three researchers.
2.
Each group will have specialists in anatomy and physiology,
paleontology, and molecular biology. Anatomists study the
structure of organisms, physiologists study the function of
organisms, molecular biologists study genetics, and paleontologists
study fossils.
3.
Review the sites that apply to your specialty.
4.
Find four to five examples of evidence for evolution. Try to find
specific examples, so that when you present to the class you will all
have different examples to share. Also, try to find the date on
which the evidence was discovered.
5.
The recommended sites are just examples. Feel free to search for
your own.
Anatomists (You are looking specifically for evidence
regarding the body structure or functions of organisms)
• Evidence Supporting Biological Evolution (see "Common
Structures")
• Fossils Can Show How Certain Features Evolved
http://www.nature.com/nature/newspdf/evolutiongems.pdf
http://evolution.berkeley.edu/evolibrary/article/0_0_0/history_10
http://evolution.berkeley.edu/evolibrary/article/0_0_0/homology_01
http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2006/11/evolution/zimmer-text
http://evolution.berkeley.edu/evolibrary/article/lines_01
Molecular Biologists (You are looking specifically for
evidence regarding molecules, such as DNA or proteins)
• Evolution Makes Sense of Homologies
• Evidence of Evolution
• Chemical Clues to Darwin's Abominable Mystery
• Salvaged DNA Leads to Neanderthals' Mystique
http://www.nature.com/nature/newspdf/evolutiongems.pdf
http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2006/11/evolution/zimmer-text
http://evolution.berkeley.edu/evolibrary/article/lines_01
Paleontologists (You are looking specifically for evidence
regarding fossils)
• Fossils Can Show How Certain Features Evolved
• Transitional Vertebrate Fossils FAQ
• Shaking the Family Tree
• Evolution Makes Sense of Homologies
• Dating Fossils
• Getting into the Fossil Record
http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2006/11/evolution/zimmer-text
http://evolution.berkeley.edu/evolibrary/article/lines_01
6. Create a poster that looks like this. Each column is 6” wide and 12” long.
Anatomy/Physiology
Evidence (description
and pictures)
Molecular Biology
Evidence (description
and pictures)
Paleontology
Evidence (description
and pictures)
Significance
Significance
Significance
Name of researcher
Name of researcher
Name of researcher
Conclusion
This WebQuest was designed to help you locate evidence for evolution from different
areas of science. New evidence for evolution is being discovered every day. No
evidence has been found which cannot be explained by evolution. If the future
continues as in the past, we can look forward to more information about the genomes
of earth's creatures, new discoveries in the fossil record, and the finding of new
species in places like the ocean depths and the tropical rainforests. One thing is
certain, more evidence will be added to support the theory of evolution.