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Evolution 2013: A Workshop for Educators. National Evolutionary Synthesis Center North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences June 17-19, 2013. Why is teaching evolution so hard?. Evolution is “only a theory” - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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NAT ION A L EVOLU TIO NA RY SYN THESIS C EN TER
NO RT H C A R OL INA M USEU M O F NAT UR A L SC IEN C ES
JU NE 1 7 - 19 , 201 3
Evolution 2013: A Workshop for Educators
Why is teaching evolution so hard?
Evolution is “only a theory” Students misunderstand the common use of theory
versus a scientific theory, which is tested and widely accepted
Teachers do not feel comfortable teaching evolution Many teachers lack a background of scientific
knowledge about evolution, and are hesitant because of the controversial nature
Only 14% of Americans believe evolution is “absolutely true” (Miller, 2006) Teachers have to battle misconceptions of students
and the community Americans in general are wholly scientifically illiterate
Evolution Brings it all Together
“The National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) strongly supports the position that evolution is a major unifying concept in science and should be included in the K–12 science education frameworks and curricula.”
Evolution is “Big Idea 1” in the new AP Biology frameworks. “The process of evolution drives the diversity and unity of life.”
Evolution is an important concept in the NGSS.Teaching evolution at the beginning of a course sets
the fundamental framework for understanding the story of life on earth.
Evolution All the Time
Where else can I teach evolution throughout the year? - You can always teach evolution Cells: Endosymbiont Theory of eukaryotic cell evolution;
divergence of prokaryotes and eukaryotes Genetics: co-evolution of Sickle Cell and malaria; lactose
intolerance DNA: mutations as a source of evolution Taxonomy: evolutionary relationships; using DNA to classify
organisms, describing adaptations as a result of environment
Cell Energy: glycolysis as an ancient metabolic pathway Ecology: effect of climate change on populations; co-
evolution of predator-prey/pollinator relationships
Ways to Teach Evolution
Scientific InquiryInquiry StationsCooperative learningSeminarsCase StudiesOnline simulationsArts & Crafts (posters, modeling,
construction)
References
http://www.nsta.org/about/positions/evolution.aspxMiller, J. (2006). Civic Scientific Literacy in Europe
and the United States. World Association for Public Opinion Research, Montreal, Canada. http://www.arcsfoundation.org/Pittsburgh/JMiller.pdf
Miller, J. (2006). Public Acceptance of Evolution. Science, 313, 765-766.
Scearce, C. (2007). Scientific Literacy. ProQuest Discovery Guides. Ann Arbor, MI. http://www.csa.com/discoveryguides/scilit/review.pdf
WAYS FOR STUDENTS TO EXPLORE THE LINES OF EVIDENCE WHICH SUPPORT
EVOLUTION
Evidence for Evolution
Lines of Evidence
Fossils Diet, climate, geography, behavior
Molecules DNA, proteins (cyt C, Hb)
Anatomy Homologous, analogous, vestigial structures;
embryologyArtificial Selection
Evolution of dogs, mustard, horses, pigeons
RATS AND BIRDS AND LIZARDS, OH MY!
Biodiversity & Biogeography
Biodiversity Background
Types of Biodiversity Ecosystem, species, genetic
Threats to biodiversity Habitat destruction, hunting/poaching, invasive
speciesEffects of biodiversity loss
Small populations, loss of genetic diversity, bottlenecks, extinction
Characteristic model species Polar bears, cheetahs, humans
Island Biogeography Basics
High level of endemismLarge islands should have more speciesIslands closer to mainland should have more
speciesGeographically isolatedBiodiversity hotspotsGenerally threatenedCharacteristic islands: Galapagos,
Madagascar
I GIVE PRIMATES THE THUMBS UP
Hominid Evolution
Hominid Highlights
There are not many/any specific objectives dealing with hominid (including human evolution) in most curricula.
Make good examples to support Co-evolution: malaria and sickle-cell Anatomical evidence: skull allometry, thumbs, no tails,
vestigial organs Molecular evidence: chromosome comparisons
between humans and chimps, etc.Hominids are familiar, characteristic
“megafauna”
Hominid Evo Resources
Smithsonian Human Origins ExhibitSkull lab sans skullsENSIENSI Skull Resources
MUCH EASIER THAN SIMULATING NATURAL SELECTION OF YOUR STUDENTS
Online/Computer-Based Evolution Simulations
Considerations
Classroom climate Teacher-lead vs. student-lead activity
Computer Availability Computer lab vs. mobile lab Laptops vs. netbooks
Wireless/Internet ReliabilityAdding new software to school computers
Web-based apps vs. computer-based programs
Options
Web-based application http://www.radford.edu/~rsheehy/Gen_flash/popgen/ Activity aligned to new AP Biology framework
PhET http://phet.colorado.edu/ Great simulations for all science disciplines (esp.
physics) Robust library of activities and demos
Aipotu aipotu.umb.edu Most appropriate for higher-level/AP courses
Bioinfor-what!
From Wikipedia: Bioinformatics is a branch of biological science which
deals with the study of methods for storing, retrieving and analyzing biological data, such as nucleic acid (DNA/RNA) and protein sequences, structures, functions, pathways and genetic interactions. It generates new knowledge about drug designing and development of new software tools. Bioinformatics also deals with algorithms, databases and information systems, web technologies, artificial intelligence and soft computing, information and computation theory, structural biology, software engineering, data mining, image processing, modeling and simulation, signal processing, discrete mathematics, control and system theory, circuit theory, and statistics.
Usefulness in a Classroom
Activities using databases can teach concepts like: DNA/RNA structure Protein structure Gene expression/regulation Mutations Comparative genomics Evolutionary biology (phyloinformatics) Systems modeling
Classroom Friendly Databases
Blast – Basic Local Alignment Research Tool http://blast.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/Blast.cgi Databases of genomic sequences Commonly used by biologists in several disciplines Used in new AP Biology lab manual (Investigations 2 & 3)
Neotoma http://www.neotomadb.org/ Databases of mammal and pollen fossils from last 5 million
years Has “Explorer” application which lends itself to student inquiry Useful for biology, earth/environmental science classes
Other Online Resources
HHMI Evolution of Stickleback Rock Pocket Mouse Malaria and Lactose Tolerance
Evo Books I Like
Genome – Matt RidleyYour Inner Fish – Neil ShubinThe Third Chimpanzee – Jared DiamondSurvival of the Sickest – Sharon MoalemThe Reluctant Mr. Darwin – David QuammenSeven Daughters of Eve – Brian SykesThe Pandas Thumb - Steven Jay GouldThe Plausibility of Life – Marc Kirschener