An Origin of Species
Read the Fine Print
- Author:
- Clear Blue Sky Productions, WGBH Educational Foundation
- Subject:
- Science and Technology
- Institution Name:
- Teachers Domain
- Collection:
- Teachers' Domain
- Grade Level:
- Primary, Secondary
- Abstract:
In this Evolution Web feature, witness for yourself how a new species can evolve as you observe natural selection and adaptive radiation in action.
- Course Type:
- Learning Module
- Languages:
- English
- Material Type:
- Activities and Labs, Curriculum Standards
- Media Format:
- Other
- Conditions of Use:
-
Custom Permissions
Content on the Site is made available to users under four levels of non-commercial, educational permitted uses as described below. You may not remove, copy, alter, reproduce, modify, create derivative works of, republish, post, publicly perform, publicly display, broadcast, transmit, distribute or commercially exploit, in whole or in part, the Content or this Site, except as expressly permitted. - Copyright Holder:
- 2001 WGBH Educational Foundation and Clear Blue Sky Productions, Inc. All rights reserved.
Comments
- How did you use this material?
I will use this material for a 10th grade Academic Biology class. Students were given laptops and were given the opportunity to explore "An Origin of Species".
- Did you augment the material?
I did not need to augement the material in any way.
- In which courses or programs did you use the material?
This material was used in an Academic Biology class.
- Clarity
The content was clear and provided nice visuals which supported student learning. The guppy simulation provided students with the opportunity to manipulate the conditions of a population of guppies in order to test their hypothesis on natural selection.
- Consistency
I did not observe any inconsistencies in the language.
- Content Errors
I did not find any factual errors, grammatical errors, or typographical errors in the materials.
- Interface
N/A
- Suggested Changes
I did not feel that there were any specific issues that needed to be addressed.
- Exemplary Features
The guppy simulation was an excellent way to engage students in a guided inquiry activity. Students had the chance to test their hypothesis regarding natural selection by manipulating the conditions of a guppy population.
- How would you recommend using this material?
I would recommend using the finch activity as a whole-group instruction demo and the guppy simulation as an individual/small group activity.
- What knowledge and skills do you need?
Students do not need any particular background knowledge in order to complete either the finch or the guppy activity. Students completing the guppy activity will benefit from having some experience with completing inquiry based activities.
- Is the material appropriate?
I feel that the material is appropriate for all levels of High School Biology. However, it should be noted that it might be difficult to manage and assist students during this activity.
- Did using the material lead to successful or identifiable outcomes?
I would imagine that students would be able to explain the effect of natural selection on a population. They would also be able to identify types of selective pressures that may act on a population and the consequent results.