evolution2012resources

The topics and materials for this workshop were selected both to cover basic concepts of evolutionary biology and to support national and state science standards. The specific standards for grades 9-12 are listed for each topic. The complete standards are available here:

North Carolina State Science Standards

The student will gain an understanding of

The development of the theory of evolution by natural selection as related to the scientific process
The hypotheses about the evolution of the first living things
The evidence for the change of organisms over time – both fossil and biochemical evidence
The steps in the theory of natural selection
The current evidence for evolution seen in antibiotic and pesticide resistance
The history of classification systems
The changing nature of classification systems related to new understandings about the evolutionary relatedness of organisms
The differences and similarities between eukaryotes and prokaryotes
The characteristics that are similar and different among the Protists, Fungi, Plants, and Animals
The use of dichotomous keys in classifying organisms

National Science Standards

BIOLOGICAL EVOLUTION

Species evolve over time. Evolution is the consequence of the interactions of (1) the potential for a species to increase its numbers, (2) the genetic variability of offspring due to mutation and recombination of genes, (3) a finite supply of the resources required for life, and (4) the ensuring selection by the environment of those offspring better able to survive and leave offspring

The great diversity of organisms is the result of more than 3.5 billion years of evolution that has filled every available niche with life forms.
Natural selection and its evolutionary consequences provide a scientific explanation for the fossil record of ancient life forms, as well as for the striking molecular similarities observed among the diverse species of living organisms.
The millions of different species of plants, animals, and microorganisms that live on earth today are related by descent from common ancestors.
Biological classifications are based on how organisms are related. Organisms are classified into a hierarchy of groups and subgroups based on similarities which reflect their evolutionary relationships. Species is the most fundamental unit of classification.

NC Essential Standards (Extended)

http://www.dpi.state.nc.us/acre/standards/extended/

AP Biology Curriculum Framework

http://media.collegeboard.com/digitalServices/pdf/ap/10b_2727_AP_Biology_CF_WEB_110128.pdf

Common Core State Standards

http://www.corestandards.org/assets/CCSSI_ELA%20Standards.pdf

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Origin of Life, Geologic Time

Geological/Paleontological Patterns - From ENSI

Timeline - From John Kyrk

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Systematics, Tree Thinking, Phylogenetics

NC State Science Standards:

The evidence for the change of organisms over time – both fossil and biochemical evidence
The history of classification systems
The changing nature of classification systems related to new understandings about the evolutionary relatedness of organisms
The differences and similarities between eukaryotes and prokaryotes
The characteristics that are similar and different among the Protists, Fungi, Plants, and Animals

National Science Standards:

The millions of different species of plants, animals, and microorganisms that live on earth today are related by descent from common ancestors.
Biological classifications are based on how organisms are related. Organisms are classified into a hierarchy of groups and subgroups based on similarities which reflect their evolutionary relationships. Species is the most fundamental unit of classification.

"Using Pipe Cleaners to Bring the Tree of Life to Life"

Goldsmith, D. 2003. The Great Clade Race. The American Biology Teacher 65(9):679-682.
doi: 10.1662/0002-7685(2003)065[0679:TGCR]2.0.CO;2

An effective activity to introduce tree thinking.

Gregory, T.R. 2008. Understanding Evolutionary Trees. Evolution: Education and Outreach Vol 1(2): 121-137. doi:10.1007/s12052-008-0035-x

A thorough overview of common tree reading misconceptions.

Understanding Phylogenies

From Understanding Evolution

A web based resource for exploring this concept. Also links to related information and activities.

What did T. rex taste like?

From Understanding Evolution

Classification, Hierarchy, Relationships

Evolution and the Nature of Science Insitute (ENSI)

A collection of papers and activities to explore this concept.

Travels in the Tree of Life

Peabody Museum

Two video clips about phylogenies and the applications of evolutionary biology.

"You are here..." Tree of Life

From David M. Hillis, Derrick Zwickl, and Robin Gutell, University of Texas

Systematics

Presentation by Brian Wiegmann is available under video clips.

Tree of Life

A collection of information about life on earth including biodiversity and phylogenetics. Check out the Treehouses for classroom activities.

Interactive Tree of Life

An interactive phylogeny from the European Molecular Biology Lab

Identifying Biocontrol Agents Through Applied Systematics

A case study of how an invasive plant may be controlled by the introduction of a native fly parasites.

"Reading a Phylogenetic Tree: The Meaning of Monophyletic Groups" (from Nature Education)

http://www.nature.com/scitable/topicpage/reading-a-phylogenetic-tree-the-meaning-of-41956

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Driving Forces of Evolution (Mutation, Natural Selection, Genetic Drift, Gene Flow)

NC State Science Standards

The steps in the theory of natural selection
The current evidence for evolution seen in antibiotic and pesticide resistance

National Science Standards

Species evolve over time. Evolution is the consequence of the interactions of (1) the potential for a species to increase its numbers, (2) the genetic variability of offspring due to mutation and recombination of genes, (3) a finite supply of the resources required for life, and (4) the ensuring selection by the environment of those offspring better able to survive and leave offspring
Natural selection and its evolutionary consequences provide a scientific explanation for the fossil record of ancient life forms, as well as for the striking molecular similarities observed among the diverse species of living organisms.

EvoDots

Jon Herron

A computer simulation to demonstrate the basic components of selection. More simulations are available through Dr. Herron's textbook website, which includes handouts and activities for some of the simulations.

Natural Selection with "Teddy Grahams"

Natural Selection simulation - From PhET at the University of Colorado

Natural Selection simulation - From McGraw-Hill Higher Education

From Understanding Evolution:

Selection

Resources for teaching selection

Misconceptions about natural selection

Superbug, super-fast evolution

Evo in the News story from Understanding Evolution and NESCent

Pocket mouse evolution video clips from HHMI

Predation

Population change

Majerus, M.E.N. 2009. Industrial Melanism in the Peppered Moth, Biston betularia: An Excellent Teaching Exampls of Darwinian Evolution in Action. Evolution: Education and Outreach Vol2:63-74. DOI 10.1007/s12052-008-0107-y

From Understanding Evolution

Adaptation

Deep Time

Coping with Climate Change

An Evo in the News story and podcast from Understanding Evolution and NESCent

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Online/Comuputer-Based Evolution Simulations

Population Genetics (Radford College) - http://www.radford.edu/~rsheehy/Gen_flash/popgen/

Aipotu - A computer simulation linking genetics, biochemistry, molecular biology and evolution.

Avida ED - A computer simulation of evolutionary processes.

Population Genetics (Jon Herron) - http://faculty.washington.edu/herronjc/SoftwareFolder/AlleleA1.html

Teaching Hardy-Weinberg and Population Genetics Using a Spreadsheet - http://www.nabt.org/blog/2009/10/04/teaching-hardy-weinberg-and-population-genetics-using-spreadsheet-models-part-1/

From PhET at the University of Colorado - http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/natural-selection

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Molecular Evolution

NC State Science Standards

The steps in the theory of natural selection

National Science Standards

Species evolve over time. Evolution is the consequence of the interactions of (1) the potential for a species to increase its numbers, (2) the genetic variability of offspring due to mutation and recombination of genes, (3) a finite supply of the resources required for life, and (4) the ensuring selection by the environment of those offspring better able to survive and leave offspring

The 2010 NABT Evolution Symposium: "Molecular Insights into Classis Examples of Evolution"

The symposium took place November 5, 2010 at the NABT conference.

Aipotu

A computer simulation linking genetics, biochemistry, molecular biology and evolution.

Avida ED

A computer simulation of evolutionary processes.

From Understanding Evolution:

Variation

Irish Potato Famine

Cheating Cheetahs Prosper

UW researchers unlock mystery of animal color - From Milwaukee-Wisconsin Journal Sentinel, By Mark Johnson, April 7, 2010

"Regulating Evolution: How Gene Switches Make Life" by Carroll, S.B., Gompel, N., Prudhomme, B., Scientific American May, 2008.

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Bioinformatics/Phyloinformatics

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Case Studies

EVO-ED (Case Studies for Evolution)

National Center for Case Study in Teaching Science

Investigative Case Based Learning

The Habitable Planet

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Biodiversity/Biogeography

NC State Science Standards

The development of the theory of evolution by natural selection as related to the scientific process
The changing nature of classification systems related to new understandings about the evolutionary relatedness of organisms

National Science Standards