History of Evolution Webquest - Life Sciences Outreach Program
History of Evolution Webquest - Life Sciences Outreach Program
History of Evolution Webquest - Life Sciences Outreach Program
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<strong>History</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Evolution</strong> <strong>Webquest</strong>Tammy 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 <strong>of</strong> evolution. Your special time machine will allow you to travel back in time to discoverthe history <strong>of</strong> evolution. After gathering information regarding the understanding <strong>of</strong> 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 <strong>of</strong> 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 <strong>of</strong> 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 <strong>of</strong> the mechanism <strong>of</strong> 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.htm<strong>Life</strong> <strong>Sciences</strong>-HHMI <strong>Outreach</strong>. Copyright 2006 President and Fellows <strong>of</strong> Harvard College.
Part II:There are many on-line copies <strong>of</strong>, Voyage <strong>of</strong> 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-<strong>of</strong>-the-beagle/Hummingbirds: Chapter 12Tortoises: Chapter 17Aquatic Lizards: Chapter 17Land Lizards: Chapter 17Ostrich: Chapter 5http://www.aboutdarwin.com/index.html<strong>Life</strong> <strong>Sciences</strong>-HHMI <strong>Outreach</strong>. Copyright 2006 President and Fellows <strong>of</strong> Harvard College.
Evaluation:<strong>History</strong> <strong>of</strong><strong>Evolution</strong>Guided NotesPartner WorkLetter to JeanBaptisteLamarckWritingMechanicsUse <strong>of</strong>ExamplesScientificAccuracy1 Point 2 Points 3 Points 4 Points ScoreVery little <strong>of</strong> The research Guide is Guide isguide is gathered is completed yet thoroughlycompleted. spotty. Some <strong>of</strong> there is a lack <strong>of</strong> 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 <strong>of</strong>focus.Lacked letterformat.Writing wasdisorganizedand containedmanymisspellingsandgrammaticalerrors.Did notprovidespecificexamples fromVoyage <strong>of</strong> theBeagle.Nocomparisonswere madebetween thework <strong>of</strong> JeanBaptisteLamarck andCharlesInteracted withgroup at timesbut clearlydemonstrated alack <strong>of</strong> focus anddistracted others.Letter waswritten in properformat butcontained manymisspellings andgrammaticalerrors.Provided someexamples fromVoyage <strong>of</strong> theBeagle but therewas a significantlack <strong>of</strong>explanation.The explanationsare clear butthere is little tono comparisonmade betweenLamarck andDarwin.weak.Interacted withgroup most <strong>of</strong>the time andremained on taskmost <strong>of</strong> the time.Letter was wellwritten butcontainedmisspellings andgrammaticalerrors.Providedexamples fromVoyage <strong>of</strong> theBeagle withsomeexplanationprovided.Explanations <strong>of</strong>examples areclear but fail toprovide a clearand accuratecomparisonbetween theworks <strong>of</strong>Was activelyengaged indiscussion <strong>of</strong>the history <strong>of</strong>evolution andexhibited astrong sense<strong>of</strong> focus.Letter waswellorganized andlackedmisspellingsandgrammaticalerrors.Providedsignificantexamplesfrom Voyage<strong>of</strong> the Beaglewithsubstantialexplanation.Explanations<strong>of</strong> examplesprovided clearand accuratecomparisonsbetween theworks <strong>of</strong>Lamarck and<strong>Life</strong> <strong>Sciences</strong>-HHMI <strong>Outreach</strong>. Copyright 2006 President and Fellows <strong>of</strong> Harvard College.
Darwin.Lamarck andDarwin.Darwin.Conclusion:The goal <strong>of</strong> this webquest activity is to learn from a historical perspective how we came tounderstand the process <strong>of</strong> evolution. While doing this you have researched the contribution thatvarious people have made to the understanding <strong>of</strong> the evolutionary process and shared yourfindings with your peers. The assessment <strong>of</strong> your understanding is embedded within the letterthat you have written to Jean Baptiste Lamarck.<strong>Life</strong> <strong>Sciences</strong>-HHMI <strong>Outreach</strong>. Copyright 2006 President and Fellows <strong>of</strong> Harvard College.