History of Evolution Webquest - Life Sciences Outreach Program

History of Evolution WebquestTammy DueMasconomet Regional High SchoolIntroduction:Have you ever wondered how and why organisms have developed certain characteristics? Whyhave humans developed larger brains over time? Why do marine iguanas have long sharp nailsand blunted snouts? Why are snowy owls white and soundless in flight? Why do giraffes havesuch long necks? If you take a moment to think about an organism you will discovercharacteristics that are unique to that organism. Why are these characteristics present?Task:You are a journalist and have access to a unique time machine that allows you to investigate thehistory of evolution. Your special time machine will allow you to travel back in time to discoverthe history of evolution. After gathering information regarding the understanding of evolutionyou will write a letter from Charles Darwin to Jean Baptiste-Lamarck explaining theevolutionary process using examples from Darwin’s voyage on the Beagle to support yourclaims.Process:Part I.1. While investigating the historical aspect of evolution by exploring various websitescomplete guided notes.2. After showing your instructor your completed notes discuss with a student partner yourfindings.Part II.3. See instructor to be assigned an organism to read about from Darwin’s voyage. Notedetails and characteristics about assigned organism.4. Make a drawing of your organism that will be referenced in the letter you write toLamarck.5. Prepare and write a letter to Jean-Baptiste Lamarck using your assigned organism thatresponds to his erroneous explanation of the mechanism of evolution.Resources:Part I:http://evolution.berkeley.edu/http://www.aboutdarwin.com/index.htmlhttp://library.thinkquest.org/C004367/eh.shtmlhttp://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/history/evothought.htmlhttp://www.victorianweb.org/science/sciov.htmlhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/education/darwin/leghist/desmond.htmLife Sciences-HHMI Outreach. Copyright 2006 President and Fellows of Harvard College.

Part II:There are many on-line copies of, Voyage of the Beagle, by Charles Darwin. As long as thechapter numbers are made accessible to you the information you need to find will be in thefollowing chapters.http://www.literature.org/authors/darwin-charles/the-voyage-of-the-beagle/Hummingbirds: Chapter 12Tortoises: Chapter 17Aquatic Lizards: Chapter 17Land Lizards: Chapter 17Ostrich: Chapter 5http://www.aboutdarwin.com/index.htmlLife Sciences-HHMI Outreach. Copyright 2006 President and Fellows of Harvard College.

Evaluation:History ofEvolutionGuided NotesPartner WorkLetter to JeanBaptisteLamarckWritingMechanicsUse ofExamplesScientificAccuracy1 Point 2 Points 3 Points 4 Points ScoreVery little of The research Guide is Guide isguide is gathered is completed yet thoroughlycompleted. spotty. Some of there is a lack of completedThere are the people are attention to with allgaping holes in completed but 3 detail. The aspectsthe research or more have not descriptions for attended togathered. been researched. contribution to with greatunderstanding detail.evolution areDid notinteract withgroup whenreviewingguided notesand showedsevere lack offocus.Lacked letterformat.Writing wasdisorganizedand containedmanymisspellingsandgrammaticalerrors.Did notprovidespecificexamples fromVoyage of theBeagle.Nocomparisonswere madebetween thework of JeanBaptisteLamarck andCharlesInteracted withgroup at timesbut clearlydemonstrated alack of focus anddistracted others.Letter waswritten in properformat butcontained manymisspellings andgrammaticalerrors.Provided someexamples fromVoyage of theBeagle but therewas a significantlack ofexplanation.The explanationsare clear butthere is little tono comparisonmade betweenLamarck andDarwin.weak.Interacted withgroup most ofthe time andremained on taskmost of the time.Letter was wellwritten butcontainedmisspellings andgrammaticalerrors.Providedexamples fromVoyage of theBeagle withsomeexplanationprovided.Explanations ofexamples areclear but fail toprovide a clearand accuratecomparisonbetween theworks ofWas activelyengaged indiscussion ofthe history ofevolution andexhibited astrong senseof focus.Letter waswellorganized andlackedmisspellingsandgrammaticalerrors.Providedsignificantexamplesfrom Voyageof the Beaglewithsubstantialexplanation.Explanationsof examplesprovided clearand accuratecomparisonsbetween theworks ofLamarck andLife Sciences-HHMI Outreach. Copyright 2006 President and Fellows of Harvard College.

Darwin.Lamarck andDarwin.Darwin.Conclusion:The goal of this webquest activity is to learn from a historical perspective how we came tounderstand the process of evolution. While doing this you have researched the contribution thatvarious people have made to the understanding of the evolutionary process and shared yourfindings with your peers. The assessment of your understanding is embedded within the letterthat you have written to Jean Baptiste Lamarck.Life Sciences-HHMI Outreach. Copyright 2006 President and Fellows of Harvard College.