Develop a Research Plan
In chapter 1, the example of a plastic vs. wood cutting board is given. Ask students to
develop a research plan involving other everyday items. First, students must develop a
hypothesis, then formulate a plan to test their hypothesis. They may base their research
plan around different brands of medicine (such as Tylenol vs. Advil) or different brands of
food (such as soda), or other items they can think of.
Develop a list of student hypotheses on the board. Hypothetically, assume all the hypotheses
proved true. Have the class develop a scientific theory based on these hypotheses. Discuss
with the class the difference between the theory and the individual hypotheses, as well as
the limitations of the theory.
Evaluation of Fossil Evidence
In this activity, students will analyze the time intervals associated with the succession of
species in an ecosystem.
Have students critique the figure below, describing and evaluating the changes that occur at
each evolutionary step depicted.
Accumulation of Scientific Evidence
In this activity students will understand the cumulative nature of scientific evidence.
Evolution is a Scientific Theory
Evolution by natural selection is supported by extensive scientific evidence. Have the class
view the following video.
- PBS Evolution: Library: Isn’t Evolution Just a Theory?http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/
evolution/library/11/2/real/e_s_1.html6 minute RealPlayer video
Follow with a class discussion. Point out that no evidence has been found on earth that is
not explained by evolution. Discuss how much evidence has been discovered, why evolution
is such a widely-held scientific theory, and what future discoveries may show.
Evolution as a theory does not simply mean a guess; it has been tested and supported by
massive amounts of biological evidence from the fossil record and living species. Evolution
can explain all evidence from the past two centuries of searching. In the future, we may find
more about new species and their genomes from the fossil record, rainforests, and oceans.