UC Berkeley
Grade Level(s):
- 6-8
Source:
- Garland, Theodore
Resource type:
- Classroom activity
Time: Four 45-minute periods
Overview
Students are introduced to the field of experimental evolution by evaluating skeletal changes in mice that have been artificially selected over many generations for the behavioral trait of voluntary exercise wheel running.
- [Evidence of evolution: Grades 6-8] An organism's features reflect its evolutionary history.
- [Evidence of evolution: Grades 6-8] All life forms share fundamental similarities. (LS4.A)
- [Evidence of evolution: Grades 6-8] Anatomical similarities of living things reflect common ancestry. (LS4.A)
- [Mechanisms of evolution: Grades 6-8] Evolution results from natural selection acting upon variation within a population. (LS4.B)
- [Mechanisms of evolution: Grades 6-8] There is variation within a population. (LS3.B)
- [Studying evolution: Grades 6-8] Our knowledge of the evolution of living things is always being refined as we gather more evidence.
- [Studying evolution: Grades 6-8] Scientists use artificial selection as a model to learn about natural selection. (P2)
- Disciplinary Core Idea LS4.A: Evidence of Common Ancestry and Diversity
- Disciplinary Core Idea LS3.B: Variation of Traits
- Disciplinary Core Idea LS4.B: Natural Selection
- Science and Engineering Practice 2. Developing and using models
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