The Radix Endeavor - Evolution

For The Birds

emarisca — Tue, 25 Feb 2014 21:40:25 +0000

For the Birds: Solve the mystery of Teebeedee birds and their foods sources in different regions. Find out about what the birds in each place can or cannot eat and why, and run an evolution simulation to see how a change in food source could affect the distribution of their traits. Use the concept of survival of the fittest to explain the evolutionary mystery.

Standards Covered in Quest line:

Disciplinary Core Ideas:

LS4.A: Evidence of Common Ancestry and Diversity
LS4.B: Natural Selection
LS4.C: Adaptation

Practices:

Analyzing and Interpreting Data
Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions
Engaging in Argument from Evidence
Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information

Cross Cutting Concepts:

Patterns
Cause and Effect

HS-LS4-2. Construct an explanation based on evidence that the process of evolution primarily results from four factors: (1) the potential for a species to increase in number, (2) the heritable genetic variation of individuals in a species due to mutation and sexual reproduction, (3) competition for limited resources, and (4) the proliferation of those organisms that are better able to survive and reproduce in the environment. [Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on using evidence to explain the influence each of the four factors has on number of organisms, behaviors, morphology, or physiology in terms of ability to compete for limited resources and subsequent survival of individuals and adaptation of species. Examples of evidence could include mathematical models such as simple distribution graphs and proportional reasoning.] [Assessment Boundary: Assessment does not include other mechanisms of evolution, such as genetic drift, gene flow through migration, and co-evolution.]

HS-LS4-3. Apply concepts of statistics and probability to support explanations that organisms with an advantageous heritable trait tend to increase in proportion to organisms lacking this trait. [Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on analyzing shifts in numerical distribution of traits and using these shifts as evidence to support explanations.] [Assessment Boundary: Assessment is limited to basic statistical and graphical analysis. Assessment does not include allele frequency calculations.]

HS-LS4-4. Construct an explanation based on evidence for how natural selection leads to adaptation of populations. [Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on using data to provide evidence for how specific biotic and abiotic differences in ecosystems (such as ranges of seasonal temperature, long-term climate change, acidity, light, geographic barriers, or evolution of other organisms) contribute to a change in gene frequency over time, leading to adaptation of populations.]

HS-LS4-5. Evaluate the evidence supporting claims that changes in environmental conditions may result in: (1) increases in the number of individuals of some species, (2) the emergence of new species over time, and (3) the extinction of other species. [Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on determining cause and effect relationships for how changes to the environment such as deforestation, fishing, application of fertilizers, drought, flood, and the rate of change of the environment affect distribution or disappearance of traits in species.]

Topic:

Biology

Subtopic:

Evolution

Walkthrough:

Quests:

EV3.1: Weak Beaks

EV3.2: Beastberry Brunch

EV3.3: Good and Evo

Menji Family Reunion

emarisca — Tue, 25 Feb 2014 21:39:20 +0000

Menji Family Reunion: Investigate Menji traits across three regions and collect data to find out which varieties are most prevalent in each biome. Talk with locals in each area to gather clues about how the menjis that live there came to be that way. Using that evidence and the concepts of selection pressures and inheritance, figure out how evolution has shaped the current menji populations.

Standards Covered in Quest line:

Disciplinary Core Ideas:

LS4.A: Evidence of Common Ancestry and Diversity
LS4.B: Natural Selection
LS4.C: Adaptation

Practices:

Analyzing and Interpreting Data
Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions
Engaging in Argument from Evidence
Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information

Cross Cutting Concepts:

Patterns
Cause and Effect

Topic:

Biology

Subtopic:

Evolution

Walkthrough:

Quests:

EV1.1: Clawing Your Way To The top

EV1.2: Keeping Warm in the Winter

EV1.3: Taking the Trash Out

EV1.4: Menji Mania

Plumebillian History 101

emarisca — Tue, 25 Feb 2014 21:37:56 +0000

Provide proof to stop Antiokos from cutting down all the palunculus trees. Collect data from a number of different sources on plumebill neck length at various points in time, and put the data together into a timeline to find out how this trait has changed and what the time scale of evolution can look like.

Standards Covered in Quest line:

Disciplinary Core Ideas:

LS4.A: Evidence of Common Ancestry and Diversity
LS4.B: Natural Selection
LS4.C: Adaptation

Practices:

Analyzing and Interpreting Data
Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions
Engaging in Argument from Evidence
Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information

Cross Cutting Concepts:

Patterns
Cause and Effect

Topic:

Biology

Subtopic:

Evolution

Walkthrough:

Quests:

EV2.1: Stretch It Out

EV2.2: Pretty Plumbill Paintings

EV2.3: Creepy Cave Drawings

EV2.4: Fun with Fossils

EV2.5: Time is of the Essence