Lab-Aids™ Evolution: Examining Fossils and DNA Evidence

Description

Includes

1 teacher's guide, 28 student worksheet and guides, 12 sets of five skeleton cards, 12 whale fossil charts, 12 mysticetes skeleton cards, 12 sets of five DNA cards, Transparency 1: Whale evolutionary tree, Transparency 2: Scientific illustration of a ambulocetid, Transparency 3: Comparison of living vertebrate forelimbs

Scientific inquiry includes critical thinking to evaluate evidence and the explanations proposed by other scientists.

In Activity 1, students investigate how fossil whales provide a line of evidence in support of the theory of evolution. Students then apply the theory of natural selection to whale evolution, using anatomical adaptations to infer the habitats, lifestyles, and evolutionary relationships of extinct species.

In Activity 2, students examine classification from an evolutionary perspective. They compare DNA sequences from a number of vertebrates and create an evolutionary tree. Scientific inquiry includes critical thinking to evaluate evidence and the explanations proposed by other scientists.

Accommodates unlimited classes, each with 12 groups of 2 students. Includes Teacher guide, student sheets and assessment questions.