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Making Cladograms
High schoolers construct cladograms (evolutionary trees), showing how shared derived characters can be used to reveal degrees of relationship. They interpret and analyze cladograms, and determine where unclassified vertebrates would fit...
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Theory, Theory, Who's got the theory?
Students analyze 5 separate theories of evolution in order to help them explain the different meanings of theory, how human values influence science, and that the scientific view of the origin of life does not involve supernatural forces.
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Time Machine: Evolution, Geology
Students are taken on a simulated "voyage" backward in time, to the beginning of our planet. They "witness" that beginning, the origin of life, and a number of key events from then to the present.
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Molecular Sequences & Primate Evolution: Amino Acids, Hemoglobins in Evolution
Students compare differences in amino acids in the beta hemoglobin from representative primates, complete a matrix of those differences, and from these data, construct and interpret cladograms as they reflect relationships and timing of...
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Applying the Laws of Inheritance
Biology and mathematics can be integrated through a study of Mendelian Genetics.
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Wise Use of Our Resources
In this resources activity, students will categorize 10 resources as either a renewable or nonrenewable resource. Students will then complete 2 short answer questions.
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The Cytochrome-C Lab
Students examine a method biologists use to try to determine relationships. They examine how amino acid sequences have been determined for a number of proteins, and how scientists can make inferences about DNA based on the amino acid...
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Nothing to Sneeze At
Students explore allergic reactions; they then synthesize their knowledge by creating informational pamphlets that help new allergy patients research the nature of allergies.
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Classification of Cerealites
Middle schoolers create a dichotomous key. For this categorizing lesson, students create a dichotomous key for different types of cereal. Middle schoolers classify the cereal into groups such as flakes and cereal with holes. Students...
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Environmental Science/Water Pollution
Students study natural habitats, aquatic life, renewable and non-renewable resources. They discuss conservation efforts for sea otters and desert toad in this units.
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Natural Selection in Action
Students demonstrate natural selection through a lab activity. In this biology lesson, students explain how natural selection leads to speciation. They complete their lab report and discuss results in class.
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Camouflage and Protective Coloration: A Model of Natural Selection
Students collect data and compare whether protective coloration or camouflage provides better biological fitness in a given environment. They simulate predator prey interactions of two different species and use gene frequencies to...
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Introduction to Biology
Pupils examine the principles of natural selection and explain how it is the basis of the theory of evolution. In this natural selection lesson students research the web on the theory of evolution.
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How Science Works: Natural Selection
Students are introduced to the topic of adaptation and discuss how various animals adapt to their environment. In groups, they participate in a simulation in which they are selected based on criteria. They discuss the results and relate...
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Evolution of the Peppered Moth
Seventh graders complete a timeline about the evolution of the peppered moth. In this biology lesson, 7th graders write an essay about how human can affect evolution. They share their essay with the class.
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The Breathtaking Nature of the Urban Explosion, Part 2
Students explore ozone levels. They measure the concentrations of ground-level ozone in the atmosphere. Students observe changes in the concentrations of ozone over time. Students complete a data sheet to record ozone readings over a...
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The Value of Behavioral Variation in Homo sapiens
High schoolers look at the behavioral characteristics of their peers from a historical perspective, and realize that, in the larger scheme of a community, these behaviors do have some value, and that a society as complex as ours does...
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Exploring the Uses of Beaks
Students explore the uses of bird beaks in the wild by participating in experiment stations. In this bird adaptation lesson plan, students work in groups and complete experiment stations that represent different types of bird beaks....
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Evolution Concept Map
In this biology learning exercise, students complete a concept mp on the theory of evolution by natural selection. They fill in 8 blanks with the correct terms from the list.
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The Environments of Big Sur -- Which Do We Protect?
Students investigate the geological, climatic, and biological features of Big Sur. They watch a video, conduct Internet research, and create a script and images in the form of an outline in a simulation of an environmental group.
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Biology Quiz
In this biology activity, students complete short answer questions about botany, animals, plants, DNA, and more. Students complete 15 short answer questions.
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The Raven: Creator of the Universe?
Pupils explore biology by researching birds in class. In this raven identification lesson, students utilize the Internet to identify the anatomy, habits and habitat of ravens. Pupils write descriptive paragraphs about ravens and read the...
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Red Mangroves Of Southern Florida
Students engage in a unit plan to examine the ecological background for the Mangroves of southern Florida. They conduct research using print and computer technology sources. They use the information in a number of other extension...
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Genetics 4 Mutations
Students identify and illustrate how changes in DNA cause mutations and evaluate the significance of these changes. They illustrate a chromosomal mutation such as duplication, deletion, inversion, and translocation.