Show me the Evidence  A Project based unit on the theory of evolution and Natural Selection  you will use the power of teamwork to learn about Evolution.  A Project based unit on the theory of evolution and Natural Selection  you will use the power of teamwork to learn about Evolution.

Theme: Evolution Grade level: Seventh Age level: Subject: Science Essential Question: Is the theory of evolution still relevant today? Massachusetts State standards: Middle School Life Science Strands LS 7-Recognize that every organism requires a set of instructions that specifies its traits. These instructions are stored in the organism’s chromosomes. Heredity is the passage of these instructions from one generation to another. LS 8-Recognize that hereditary information is contained in genes located in the chromosomes of each cell. A human cell contains about 30,000 different genes on 23 different chromosomes. LS-10 Give examples of ways in which genetic variation and environmental factors are causes of evolution and the diversity of organisms. LS-11 Recognize that evidence drawn from geology, fossils, and comparative anatomy provides the basis of the theory of evolution. LS-12 Relate the extinction of species to a mismatch of adaptation and the environment. LS 17, Identify ways in which ecosystems have changed throughout geologic time in response to physical conditions, interactions among organisms, and the actions of humans. Describe how changes may be catastrophes such as volcanic eruptions or ice storms. LS-18 Recognize that biological evolution accounts for the diversity of species developed through gradual processes over many generations Show Me the Evidence reviewer data

Reviewer Data Continued Goals : By completing this PBU, students will achieve the following goals: 1)Gain an understanding of who Charles Darwin was 2)Use the Internet to research the theory of natural selection 3)Learn information about the evolution of our species 4)Explain the evidence which supports the theory that species evolve over time 5)Formulate and support an opinion based on your roles 6)Work effectively with teammates to produce a cohesive presentation.

Your team will become experts on the various aspects of Evolution as you and your team members explore the topics selected for this challenge. Each person on your team will have their own role and topic to research. There is a task organizer and an evaluation rubric in the evaluators handbook given to you by your teacher to guide your work You and your team will work together to create a group presentation that presents your team's findings to the Hall of Fame review panel.

Charles Darwin has been nominated for the Science Hall of Fame. If selected he would join the great scientists of all time such as Newton, Galileo, Einstein and Pasteur. Some people believe that there is not enough evidence to support his theory of Evolution by Natural Selection. Others feel it has nothing to do with us humans. You and your team have the task of defending Charles Darwin's idea about evolution and explaining why it is important enough to qualify him for entry. Show me the Evidence Task

The biographer will need to present 'Charles...the man', telling Darwin's personal story. The Scientist will explore his theory of Evolution by natural selection. The lawyer will need to gather the evidence which supports Darwin's theory. The Humanist will discover how evolution has played a role in changes to the hominid family. Based upon what you discover, you will have to decide if there is enough evidence to defend Darwin's place in the scientific community. Roles your team will assume:

You should start with the pages that are labeled 'Background Information'.  These sites are important because it will provide basic information about the topic as a whole.  Everyone should explore these sites before starting their Task.  These sites are important because it will provide basic information about the topic as a whole.  Everyone should explore these sites before starting their Task.

KWL To start, each member of the team should take the online quiz 'How well do you understand evolution, the link is here in the background section to determine what knowledge you already have on the subject. (You will take it again at the end to see how much your score has improved.) Don’t forget to fill in your KWL chart in your reviewer handbook How Well Do you understand the theory of Evolution To start, each member of the team should take the online quiz 'How well do you understand evolution, the link is here in the background section to determine what knowledge you already have on the subject. (You will take it again at the end to see how much your score has improved.) Don’t forget to fill in your KWL chart in your reviewer handbook How Well Do you understand the theory of Evolution

Background Information Follow Darwin’s journey on the HMS Beagle. As you explore, make note of the places and wonders Darwin visited.  Big Idea Exhibition Big Idea Exhibition  Timeline Timeline  1 st Task  Assume the role of Charles Darwin and write a friendly letter home to his friend Thomas Malthus telling him the wonders of the journey. (Letter format is in your reviewers handbook) Follow Darwin’s journey on the HMS Beagle. As you explore, make note of the places and wonders Darwin visited.  Big Idea Exhibition Big Idea Exhibition  Timeline Timeline  1 st Task  Assume the role of Charles Darwin and write a friendly letter home to his friend Thomas Malthus telling him the wonders of the journey. (Letter format is in your reviewers handbook)

Review Panel  These roles were chosen because they each define an important topic in our study of Evolution. Each of you has been assigned a particular topic with links and instructions below.  INSTRUCTIONS:  1. One member from each Panel team will assume their assigned role and explore one of the topics below.   2. Read through the web sites designated for your role. You can print out pages and underline or highlight the parts that you feel are important or cut and paste from the web pages into a word processor. Keep all your notes in your evaluators handbook.   3. Remember to include the URL of the page you take information from so you can return to it and use it as a citation.  4. Focus what you've learned to address each of the topic questions.  5. Remember to fill in your 2-column notes as you read and be sure to gather enough details to answer each question in your “Big Ideas”.  These roles were chosen because they each define an important topic in our study of Evolution. Each of you has been assigned a particular topic with links and instructions below.  INSTRUCTIONS:  1. One member from each Panel team will assume their assigned role and explore one of the topics below.   2. Read through the web sites designated for your role. You can print out pages and underline or highlight the parts that you feel are important or cut and paste from the web pages into a word processor. Keep all your notes in your evaluators handbook.   3. Remember to include the URL of the page you take information from so you can return to it and use it as a citation.  4. Focus what you've learned to address each of the topic questions.  5. Remember to fill in your 2-column notes as you read and be sure to gather enough details to answer each question in your “Big Ideas”.

The Biographer  As you explore each of the links below fill in details to the following Big ideas in your Reviewer’s handbook.  When you are done you and your team should write a 2 paragraph Bio for the induction ceremony booklet.  Early Life Early Life  Darwin’s life Darwin’s life  Darwin’s Idea Darwin’s Idea  Big Ideas:  Who was Charles Darwin?  Where was he from?  What was his family like?  What did he do?  Where did he go and why?  As you explore each of the links below fill in details to the following Big ideas in your Reviewer’s handbook.  When you are done you and your team should write a 2 paragraph Bio for the induction ceremony booklet.  Early Life Early Life  Darwin’s life Darwin’s life  Darwin’s Idea Darwin’s Idea  Big Ideas:  Who was Charles Darwin?  Where was he from?  What was his family like?  What did he do?  Where did he go and why?

The Scientist  As you explore each of the links below fill in details to the following Big ideas in your Reviewer’s handbook.  When you are done you and your team will: 1 st > write a summary on the Theory of Natural Selection based on your 2-column notes 2 nd > select a species and create a recipe for Natural selection which details the ingredients and steps required to achieve a separate species.  Darwin’s Theory Darwin’s Theory  Natural Selection Natural Selection  On the Origin of Species On the Origin of Species  Big ideas:  1. What is the theory of Natural selection?  2. How does Natural selection work?  3. What is the difference between variation and adaptation?  4. What were the differences between species on the Galapagos islands and what did those differences suggest to Darwin?  As you explore each of the links below fill in details to the following Big ideas in your Reviewer’s handbook.  When you are done you and your team will: 1 st > write a summary on the Theory of Natural Selection based on your 2-column notes 2 nd > select a species and create a recipe for Natural selection which details the ingredients and steps required to achieve a separate species.  Darwin’s Theory Darwin’s Theory  Natural Selection Natural Selection  On the Origin of Species On the Origin of Species  Big ideas:  1. What is the theory of Natural selection?  2. How does Natural selection work?  3. What is the difference between variation and adaptation?  4. What were the differences between species on the Galapagos islands and what did those differences suggest to Darwin?

The Lawyer  As you explore each of the links below fill in details to the following Big ideas in your Reviewer’s handbook.  When you are done you and your team will prepare 4 legal briefs which will allow you to enter each exhibit into evidence.  Briefs should:  Define the type of evidence.  Provide an example of the evidence.  Illustrate the evidence’s connection to the Theory of Natural Selection  Evidence for evolution Evidence for evolution  Geologic Time Geologic Time  How we know How we know  Fossil Record Fossil Record  Tetrapod Fossil Tetrapod Fossil  Big ideas:  1. Explain how the fossil record can provide evidence for evolution.  2. How do homologous structures connect species?  3. How can DNA provide evidence for evolution?  4. What evidence do vestigial structure provide?  As you explore each of the links below fill in details to the following Big ideas in your Reviewer’s handbook.  When you are done you and your team will prepare 4 legal briefs which will allow you to enter each exhibit into evidence.  Briefs should:  Define the type of evidence.  Provide an example of the evidence.  Illustrate the evidence’s connection to the Theory of Natural Selection  Evidence for evolution Evidence for evolution  Geologic Time Geologic Time  How we know How we know  Fossil Record Fossil Record  Tetrapod Fossil Tetrapod Fossil  Big ideas:  1. Explain how the fossil record can provide evidence for evolution.  2. How do homologous structures connect species?  3. How can DNA provide evidence for evolution?  4. What evidence do vestigial structure provide?

The Humanist  As you explore each of the links below fill in details to the following Big ideas in your Reviewer’s handbook.  When you are done you and your team will construct a comparison chart on the 5 hominid species we are studying. (Lucy, Homo Habilis, Homo Erectus, Neanderthals, and Homo Sapiens)  Your chart should detail: Physical features, Geologic time, Habitat location, Evidence of existence and Known behaviors.  Evolution of the Hominid Family Evolution of the Hominid Family  Lucy Lucy  Human Evolution Human Evolution  Big ideas:  1. What is the earliest species of hominid?  2. How did these species change over time?  2. Describe the physical similarities and differences between Homo  Habilis and Homo Erectus.  As you explore each of the links below fill in details to the following Big ideas in your Reviewer’s handbook.  When you are done you and your team will construct a comparison chart on the 5 hominid species we are studying. (Lucy, Homo Habilis, Homo Erectus, Neanderthals, and Homo Sapiens)  Your chart should detail: Physical features, Geologic time, Habitat location, Evidence of existence and Known behaviors.  Evolution of the Hominid Family Evolution of the Hominid Family  Lucy Lucy  Human Evolution Human Evolution  Big ideas:  1. What is the earliest species of hominid?  2. How did these species change over time?  2. Describe the physical similarities and differences between Homo  Habilis and Homo Erectus.

KWL again  You have all learned about Darwin and his theory of Natural selection. Go back and re-take the online quiz on evolution in the background link and see how much your score has improved.  Don’t forget to fill in your KWL chart in your reviewer handbook  How Well Do you understand the theory of Evolution How Well Do you understand the theory of Evolution  You have all learned about Darwin and his theory of Natural selection. Go back and re-take the online quiz on evolution in the background link and see how much your score has improved.  Don’t forget to fill in your KWL chart in your reviewer handbook  How Well Do you understand the theory of Evolution How Well Do you understand the theory of Evolution

More Help, More Links, More Labs  evidence  human evolution     evolution  0_0/evo_14 0_0/evo_14  Labs  Natural Selection lab Natural Selection lab  Survival of the fittest lab Survival of the fittest lab  evidence  human evolution     evolution  0_0/evo_14 0_0/evo_14  Labs  Natural Selection lab Natural Selection lab  Survival of the fittest lab Survival of the fittest lab

Pair, Share & Debate  Now group members come back to the larger team with their information. You must now complete the final task as a group. Each of you will bring a certain viewpoint to the answer: some of you will agree and others disagree.  Use information, pictures, movies, facts, opinions, etc. from the web sites you explored to convince the panel of your viewpoint.  Now group members come back to the larger team with their information. You must now complete the final task as a group. Each of you will bring a certain viewpoint to the answer: some of you will agree and others disagree.  Use information, pictures, movies, facts, opinions, etc. from the web sites you explored to convince the panel of your viewpoint.

Presentation  Your Reviewers team should design a presentation of your discoveries which answers the question: Should Darwin be admitted to the Science Hall of Fame? Why?  Presentations can be done using PowerPoint, Inspiration, or as a cited research paper and poster. ( Regardless of the format your team selects you must prepare to present the finding to the class)  Your Reviewers team should design a presentation of your discoveries which answers the question: Should Darwin be admitted to the Science Hall of Fame? Why?  Presentations can be done using PowerPoint, Inspiration, or as a cited research paper and poster. ( Regardless of the format your team selects you must prepare to present the finding to the class)

Conclusion  When we study complex topics, there is usually a lot more to a topic than we learn after a quick exploration. Now you all know a lot more. Nice work. You should be proud of yourselves! What other parts of Evolution could still be explored? Remember, learning never stops.