• [History of life: Grades 9-12] During the course of evolution, only a small percentage of species have survived until today.
• [History of life: Grades 9-12] Background extinctions are a normal occurrence.
• [History of life: Grades 9-12] Rates of extinction vary.
• [History of life: Grades 9-12] Mass extinctions occur.
• [History of life: Grades 9-12] Extinction can result from environmental change.
• [History of life: Grades 13-16] During the course of evolution, only a small percentage of species have survived until today.
• [History of life: Grades 13-16] Background extinctions are a normal occurrence.
• [History of life: Grades 13-16] Rates of extinction vary.
• [History of life: Grades 13-16] Mass extinctions occur.
• [History of life: Grades 13-16] Extinction can result from environmental change.
• [Evidence of evolution: Grades 9-12] The fossil record documents the biodiversity of the past.
• [Evidence of evolution: Grades 9-12] The fossil record documents patterns of extinction and the appearance of new forms.
• [Evidence of evolution: Grades 13-16] The fossil record documents the biodiversity of the past.
• [Evidence of evolution: Grades 13-16] The fossil record documents patterns of extinction and the appearance of new forms.
• [Mechanisms of evolution: Grades 9-12] Random factors can affect the survival of individuals and of populations.
• [Mechanisms of evolution: Grades 13-16] Random factors can affect the survival of individuals and of populations.
• [Nature of science: Grades 9-12] Scientific knowledge is open to question and revision as we come up with new ideas and discover new evidence. (P4, P6, NOS3)
• [Nature of science: Grades 9-12] A hallmark of science is exposing ideas to testing. (P3, P4, P6, P7)
• [Nature of science: Grades 9-12] Scientists test their ideas using multiple lines of evidence. (P6, NOS2)
• [Nature of science: Grades 9-12] Scientists use multiple research methods (experiments, observational research, comparative research, and modeling) to collect data. (P2, P3, P4, NOS1)
• [Nature of science: Grades 9-12] Scientists can test ideas about events and processes long past, very distant, and not directly observable.
• [Nature of science: Grades 9-12] The real process of science is complex, iterative, and can take many different paths.
• [Nature of science: Grades 9-12] Science is a human endeavor. (NOS7)
• [Nature of science: Grades 13-16] Scientific knowledge is open to question and revision as we come up with new ideas and discover new evidence.
• [Nature of science: Grades 13-16] A hallmark of science is exposing ideas to testing.
• [Nature of science: Grades 13-16] Scientists test their ideas using multiple lines of evidence.
• [Nature of science: Grades 13-16] Scientists use multiple research methods (experiments, observational research, comparative research, and modeling) to collect data.
• [Nature of science: Grades 13-16] Scientists can test ideas about events and processes long past, very distant, and not directly observable.
• [Nature of science: Grades 13-16] The real process of science is complex, iterative, and can take many different paths.
• [Nature of science: Grades 13-16] Science is a human endeavor.
• [Studying evolution: Grades 9-12] Our knowledge of the evolution of living things is always being refined as we gather more evidence.
• [Studying evolution: Grades 9-12] Scientists use fossils (including sequences of fossils showing gradual change over time) to learn about past life.
• [Studying evolution: Grades 9-12] As with other scientific disciplines, evolutionary biology has applications that factor into everyday life.
• [Studying evolution: Grades 13-16] Scientists use fossils (including sequences of fossils showing gradual change over time) to learn about past life.
• [Studying evolution: Grades 13-16] As with other scientific disciplines, evolutionary biology has applications that factor into everyday life, for example in agriculture, biodiversity and conservation biology, and medicine and health.

• NOS Matrix understanding category 1. Scientific investigations use a variety of methods.
• NOS Matrix understanding category 2. Scientific knowledge is based on empirical evidence.
• NOS Matrix understanding category 3. Scientific knowledge is open to revision in light of new evidence.
• NOS Matrix understanding category 7. Science is a human endeavor.
• Science and Engineering Practice 2. Developing and using models
• Science and Engineering Practice 3. Planning and carrying out investigations
• Science and Engineering Practice 4. Analyzing and interpreting data
• Science and Engineering Practice 6. Constructing explanations and designing solutions
• Science and Engineering Practice 7. Engaging in argument from evidence

This article challenges stereotypes of paleontologists and the misconception that hypotheses about past events cannot be tested. For an advanced biology course, the side trip on levels of selection will provide a new way to look at natural selection. This research profile includes discussion and essay questions that can be assigned to students. Get tips for using research profiles in your classroom.

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