Integrative Ecology Education
Evolution and it's processes.
The following activities are designed to be exciting ways of consolidating learning and opportunities to gain further understanding through the use of physical and practical activities with the interaction of other students.
Task 1: In class game that simulates microevolution
Task 2: Researching evolution in species
Task 3: Create an evolutionary timeline
Task 4: Engage with Dr Van Huet's research and apply your understanding of evolution to her research
Task 1
In-class Game
A fun way to reintroduce the topic of evolution is through the game of "Telephone" or "Chinese Whispers", but with an evolution-related twist.
This game has several alignments with aspects of evolution. Students will be practically modelling how microevolution can change a species over time.
The message changes as it passes between the students because small mistakes by students accumulate, much like how small mutations happen in DNA.
In evolution, DNA mutations add up to adaptations and can create new species that may or may not resemble their original ancestors.
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Game Instructions:
- Organise students into a line or circle.
- Communicate the chosen message to the first student in line.
- Have this student whisper this message into the next student's ear without repeating it.
- This action is repeated down the line of students until the very last student. This student will then say out loud to the class what they heard after the message had been passed through the chain.
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Class Discussion: Query students as to how this is similar and dissimilar to the evolution process.
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Task 2: Research Project
Researching Evolution in Species.
Research a species and explain the effects of natural selection on the diversification of this species over time.
One should provide evidence and reliable sourcing.
Examples include:
Galapagos Finches.
Tiger Snakes in the islands of bass strait.
Cane Toads of Australia.
Poison Resistance in the House mouse.
Myxoma virus resistance in Australian rabbit population.
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Task representation: Choose from one of the following to represent your understanding of the evolution of your chosen species. Share with other members of your class.
1. Informative poster or PowerPoint.
2. DigiExplanation. https://www.digiexplanations.com/
3. Cartoon
4. Video
Task 3: Creating an Evolutionary Timeline
In this activity, students will create a geological and evolutionary timeline.
Geologic time is largely subdivided on the basis of the evolution of life allowing for a larger overview of large events, and a greater understanding of the scale of evolution itself.
It will be a visual representation of the ongoing evolution of the earth system resulting from interactions between one-celled forms of life that extend back over 3.5 billion years.
