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