AN EVOLUTION CURRICULUM
FOR ELEMENTARY STUDENTS
JOSEPH FAIL, JR.
Assistant: Cindy Blohm
Nothing in Biology Makes Sense Except in the Light of Evolution
-Theodosius Dobzhansky
Do you believe this?
If you do, when should evolution be taught?
How should it be taught?
What would Darwin do?
http://donsmaps.com/images5/darwin.jpg
Creationist View Theistic Evolution Naturalistic Evolution
Group of adults
God created man pretty much in his present form at one time within the last 10,000 years.
Man has developed over millions of years from less advanced forms of life, but God guided this process, including man's creation.
Man has developed over millions of years from less advanced forms of life. God had no part in this process.
Everyone 47% 40% 9%
Men 39% 45% 11.5%
Women 53% 36% 6.6%
College graduates 25% 54% 16.5%
No high school diploma 65% 23% 4.6%
Income over $50,000 29% 50% 17%
Income under $20,000 59% 28% 6.5%
Caucasians 46% 40% 9%
African-Americans 53% 41% 4%
Scientists 5% 40% 55%
U.S. Beliefs in Evolution
Gallup Poll 1997
ELEMENTARY CURRICULUM CONSTRUCTION GUIDE
• Premise: ELEMENTARY STUDENTS ARE UNDERTAUGHT.
• Content and Teaching: BASIC, HEIRARCHICAL, SIMPLE, LOGICAL, INTUITIVE, STORYLIKE, AND CONNECTED.
• Format: 90 MINUTES, ONCE PER WEEK, 30 WEEKS.
Curriculum ‘Geography’
Science:Science:•Biology with Evolution
•Earth and Physical Science
Other Disciplines:Other Disciplines:•Math, Language, Social Studies
within the context of
ELEMENTARY CURRICULUM IMPLEMENTATION PLAN
Develop and Publish Curriculum
Develop and Publish Primer (100 page teacher text book)
Train Teachers to Implement Curriculum
“Practice-Teach” with One (4th grade) Class
National and State Standards
North Carolina Standard Course of Study
Grade Competency Goal (Select Evolution Related) Objectives
3 1: The learner will…build an understanding 1.02: Observe and describe how environmental
of plant growth and adaptations. conditions determine how well plants survive and grow.
1.05: Observe and discuss how bees pollinate flowers.
4 1: The learner will…build an understanding 1.02: Observe and record how animals of the same of animal behavior and adaptations. kind differ in characteristics and discuss possible advantages and disadvantages of this variation.
5 1: The learner will…build an understanding 1.05: Determine the interaction of organisms of the interdependence of plants and animals. within an ecosystem
National Science Education Standards:“… an understanding of evolution is necessary in describing all aspects of ‘changes in the universe.’”
Curriculum Units
I. Overview of Biological Levels-of-Organization
II. Chemical Structure and Function
III. Energy
IV. Biology: Cells and Organisms
V. Biology: Information Storage and Transfer
VI. Ecology
VII. Evolution
(HEIRARCHICAL, SIMPLE, LOGICAL, INTUITIVE, STORYLIKE, AND CONNECTED)
S P A C E
T
I
M
E
M A T T E R and E N E R G Y
L I F E
A Matrix of Evolution
Odum’s Ecological Organization Spectrum (Abridged)
Genes Cells Organisms Populations Communities
I. Overview of Biological Levels-of-Organization
ECOSYSTEMS Y S T E M S
M A T T E R E N E R G Y
II. Chemical Structure and Function
Introduction to Atoms: Structure and Periodic Table
Carbon and Covalent Bonds
Molecules: Sugars, Fats, Proteins, Nucleic Acids
Atomic Structure: Carbon
Electron (-)
6 Protons (+)6 Neutrons
Why are there two energy levels?
Carbon’s atomic number is 6…
What is it’s atomic weight?
What is their significance?
http://www.school-for-champions.com/science/images/chembonding_types-water.gif
Molecular Structure and Covalent Bonds
δ+
δ-
What is a covalent bond?
What is a molecule?
How many atoms make up this molecule?
H20 = Water
Molecular Structure: SugarH
H
CO HH
C
O
C O HH
C O HH
C O HH
C O HH
Why is sugar the molecule of biological energy storage?
Where do we get the stored energy?
Glucose C6H12O6
What do the lines between atoms represent?
What information can you draw from the short-hand C6H12O6 ?
What information does C6H12O6 leave out?
Curriculum Units
I. Overview of Biological Levels-of-Organization
II. Chemical Structure and Function
III. Energy
IV. Biology: Cells and Organisms
V. Biology: Information Storage and Transfer
VI. Ecology
VII. Evolution
(HEIRARCHICAL, SIMPLE, LOGICAL, INTUITIVE, STORYLIKE, AND CONNECTED)
III. Energy
1st and 2nd Laws of Thermodynamics
Photosynthesis and Respiration
1st Law of Thermodynamics:Photosynthesis and Respiration
6 CO2 + 6 H20 C6H12O6 + 6 O2
P
R
(Chl)
(Teacher Note: What do students need to know to answer these questions?)
Plants “trap” light. How do they store the energy of light?
How does the stored light energy get to you?
How does this formula represent the 1st law of Thermodynamics?
2nd Law of Thermodynamics:For every energy transfer, 90% of the energy
is lost as waste heat
Why do we get hungry so often?
www.mcys.gov.sg/web/Faces/Faces40/p2.html
IV. Biology: Cells and Organisms
Cells: Structure and Function
Organisms: Five Kingdoms
Cells: Structure and Function
http://www.geocities.com/pieroscience/plant_cell.gifhttp://www.biolessons.com/lessonplans/cellularbiology/plant_animal_cell/animal_cell.jpg
Animal Plant
Nucleus
Chloroplast
Mitochondrion
Vacuole
Cell Membrane
Cell Wall
What are the functions of each organelle?
What do these cells do?
Organisms: Five Kingdoms
Prokaryote
(Monera)
Protista
http://universe-review.ca/I10-01-FiveKingdom.jpg
Animal Plant Fungi
What are similarities among organisms of the same kingdom?
What are differences between kingdoms?
Some Characteristics of the Five Kingdoms
Kingdom Nucleus? Cell Number Cell Wall? Energy Source
Heterotrophic& Autotrophic
Heterotrophic& Autotrophic
Heterotrophic
Autotrophic
Heterotrophic
Prokaryotes(Monera)
Protista
Fungi
Plantae
Animalia
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Single
Single (Gen)
Multicellular
Multicellular
Multicellular
Yes
No/Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Curriculum Units
I. Overview of Biological Levels-of-Organization
II. Chemical Structure and Function
III. Energy
IV. Biology: Cells and Organisms
V. Biology: Information Storage and Transfer
VI. Ecology
VII. Evolution
V. Biology: Information Storage and Transfer
DNA Structure and Function: Replication, Transcription, and Translation
Meiosis and Gene Recombination
Mendelian Genetics: Phenotypes and Genotypes
Monohybrid Cross
Dihybrid Cross
Molecular Structure: DNA
What do the lines forming each angle represent?
www.emc.maricopa.edu
Transcription and Translation(An Illustration of the Mechanistic Nature of Biology)
Transcription, Translation, and Energy
Is respiration necessary for transcription and translation?
Are transcription and translation necessary for respiration?
Conclusion . . . ?
Transcription
Translation
DNA Structure and Function
How does this molecule relate to what we look like?
How does this molecule relate to future generations?
www.emc.maricopa.edu
. . . and what we do?
Mendelian Genetics: Monohybrid Cross
How does pink happen?
Distinguish between phenotypes and genotypes.
If the F2 generation were 3 Red:1 White, what could you say about inheritance?
Curriculum Units
I. Overview of Biological Levels-of-Organization
II. Chemical Structure and Function
III. Energy
IV. Biology: Cells and Organisms
V. Biology: Information Storage and Transfer
VI. Ecology
VII. Evolution
(HEIRARCHICAL, SIMPLE, LOGICAL, INTUITIVE, STORYLIKE, AND CONNECTED)
VI. Ecology
Light: The Energetic Basis of Life Electromagnetic Spectrum Englemann’s Experiment
Nutrient Cycles: Role of Plants, Fungi, and Bacteria
Organisms and Environment Interactions: Population Exponential Growth and Carrying Capacity Human Population Growth Curve
Time: Daily, Seasonal, Successional
http://3e.plantphys.net/images/ch07/wt0701d.jpg
Light: The Energetic Basis of LifeEnglemann’s Experiment
How does this diagram illustrate what plants do with light?
How does this experiment illustrate how ecosystems work? . . . how Earth works?
Why are plants green?
High Energy
Low Energy
Exponential Population Growth
What could prevent a population from unlimited growth?
Why does a K1 and K2 exist?
VII. Evolution
Introduction: The Mechanism of Evolution by Natural Selection
DNA and Mutation Review
Relationship of DNA to Evolution
Population Exponential Growth and Carrying Capacity - Review
Environment, Variation, Selection, and Adaptation
The Geography of Speciation
Co-evolution vs. Competition
Common Origin, Speciation and Diversity
Human Evolution
Pollution, Evolution, and the Future: Global Warming and Other Stories
Fact 1Potential
Exponential Increase of Populations
Observation
Inference 1Struggle for Existence
Among Individuals
Malthus
Fact 2Populations Are Steady
StateObservation
Fact 3Limitation of Resources
Malthus & Observation
Inference 3Through
Many Generations i.e. EvolutionDarwin & Wallace
Inference 2Differential Survival i.e.
Natural Selection
Darwin & WallaceFact 4Uniqueness of
IndividualsObservation &
Farmers
Fact 5Heritability of
Much Individual Variation
Observation & Farmers
Mayr 1977
Evolution by Natural Selection: Facts and Inferences
(Review) DNA Molecule – ‘Hard Inheritance’
In what way is DNA the basis for variation?
Fact 4Uniqueness of
IndividualsObservation &
Farmers
www.emc.maricopa.edu
Fact 5Heritability of
Much Individual Variation
Observation & Farmers
http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/exhibitions/genes/images/
http://evolution.berkeley.edu/evolibrary/images/evo/
Fact 5Heritability of
Much Individual Variation
Observation & Farmers
(Review) Mutation : Sickle-Cell Anemia
Sickle cells hold less oxygen than normal cells.
How could such a harmful mutation persist in a population?
How does this
example illustrate Fact 5?
(Review) Inheritance: Sickle-Cell
Fact 5Heritability of
Much Individual Variation
Observation & Farmers
How does the sickle-cell trait persist?
(Teacher Note: What does a student need to know to answer this question?)
http://www.io.com/~tcm/images/TWDEFF2.GIF
= normal gene
= sickle mutation
no yes yes yes (but lethal) Malaria resistance?
Genotype
Phenotype
Geography and Genetic Variation:Sickle-Cell Disease and Malaria
http://bill.srnr.arizona.edu/classes/182/GeneFreqs/Sickle-Malaria.htm
How would deforestation affect the prevalence of the sickle cell trait? Inference 2
Differential Survival i.e.
Natural Selection
Darwin & Wallace
VII. Evolution
Introduction: The Mechanism of Evolution by Natural Selection
DNA and Mutation Review
Relationship of DNA to Evolution
Population Exponential Growth and Carrying Capacity - Review
Environment, Variation, Selection, and Adaptation
The Geography of Speciation
Co-evolution vs. Competition
Common Origin, Speciation and Diversity
Human Evolution
Pollution, Evolution, and the Future: Global Warming and Other Stories
Exponential Population Growth
What could prevent a population from undergoing
unlimited growth?
Fact 1Potential
Exponential Increase of Populations
Observation
Fact 3Limitation of Resources
Malthus & Observation
How does K affect populations?
Inference 2Differential Survival i.e.
Natural Selection
Darwin & Wallace
Fact 1Potential
Exponential Increase of Populations
Observation
Inference 1Struggle for Existence
Among Individuals
Malthus
Fact 2Populations Are Steady
StateObservation
Fact 3Limitation of Resources
Malthus & Observation
Inference 3Through
Many Generations i.e. EvolutionDarwin & Wallace
Inference 2Differential Survival i.e.
Natural Selection
Darwin & WallaceFact 4Uniqueness of
IndividualsObservation &
Farmers
Fact 5Heritability of
Much Individual Variation
Observation & Farmers
Mayr 1977
Evolution by Natural Selection: Facts and Inferences
VII. Evolution
Introduction: The Mechanism of Evolution by Natural Selection
DNA and Mutation Review
Relationship of DNA to Evolution
Population Exponential Growth and Carrying Capacity - Review
Environment, Variation, Selection, and Adaptation
The Geography of Speciation
Co-evolution vs. Competition
Common Origin, Speciation and Diversity
Human Evolution
Pollution, Evolution, and the Future: Global Warming and Other Stories
Variation and Selection: Lederberg Experiment
How is the one colony able to survive the toxic environment?
How and when did the adaptation arise?
Can you explain this experiment?
Fact 4Uniqueness
of IndividualsObservation &
Farmers
Inference 2Differential Survival i.e.
Natural Selection
Darwin & Wallace
Fact 5Heritability of Much
Individual Variation
Observation & Farmers Volpe 1985
Geography and Variation: Galapagos Turtles
How / Why do you think the turtle subspecies arose in the different volcanic craters spread out across the island?
Volpe 1985
Inference 3Through
Many Generations i.e. EvolutionDarwin & Wallace
Could these varieties become separate species? How or how not?
(Teacher Note: What does a student need to know to answer these questions?)
Fact 5Heritability of
Much Individual Variation
Observation & Farmers
VII. Evolution
Introduction: The Mechanism of Evolution by Natural Selection
DNA and Mutation Review
Relationship of DNA to Evolution
Population Exponential Growth and Carrying Capacity - Review
Environment, Variation, Selection, and Adaptation
The Geography of Speciation
Co-evolution vs. Competition
Common Origin, Speciation and Diversity
Human Evolution
Pollution, Evolution, and the Future: Global Warming and Other Stories
Competition and Co-evolution
http://www.microscope-microscope.org/
The graphs show the populations of 2 species of Paramecium (Protista) alone and together.
What explanations can you give to explain why the ‘alone’ populations level off?
How do the graphs illustrate the effects of competition?
How does this photograph illustrate co-evolution?
Allee et al. 1949
Are there evolutionary consequences of being too attractive . . . or not attractive enough?
What is the energy source that drives these organisms’ co-evolution?
Common Origin: Galapagos Finches
Inference 3Through
Many Generations i.e. EvolutionDarwin & Wallace
What abiotic or biotic factors have influenced the evolution of beak size and shape?
How do the facts and inferences of evolution by natural selection shape this story?
Volpe 1985
How does common origin relate to Homo sapiens?
Fact 1Potential
Exponential Increase of Populations
Observation
Inference 1Struggle for Existence
Among Individuals
Malthus
Fact 2Populations Are Steady
StateObservation
Fact 3Limitation of Resources
Malthus & Observation
Inference 3Through
Many Generations i.e. EvolutionDarwin & Wallace
Inference 2Differential Survival i.e.
Natural Selection
Darwin & WallaceFact 4Uniqueness of
IndividualsObservation &
Farmers
Fact 5Heritability of
Much Individual Variation
Observation & Farmers
Mayr 1977
Evolution by Natural Selection: Facts and Inferences
HIV in Humans
(Could HIV be a factor in human evolution, i.e. a cause for change in gene frequency?)
http://oddisgood.com/art/
What makes HIV different from a cell?
How could we stop HIV from making copies of itself?
What is a virus?
(Teacher Note: What does a student need to know to answer these questions?)
Fact 1Potential
Exponential Increase of Populations
Observation
Inference 1Struggle for Existence
Among Individuals
Malthus
Fact 2Populations Are Steady
StateObservation
Fact 3Limitation of Resources
Malthus & Observation
Inference 3Through
Many Generation
s i.e. Evolution
Darwin & Wallace
Inference 2Differential Survival i.e.
Natural Selection
Darwin & WallaceFact 4Uniqueness
of IndividualsObservation &
Farmers
Fact 5Heritability of
Much Individual VariationObservation &
Farmers Mayr 1977
Evolution by Natural Selection: Facts and Inferences
Fact 6?Changes in Environment
Is there a piece of the puzzle missing?
Is this important? Where would it come into play?
http://www.micro.utexas.edu/courses/levin/bio304/popgen/moths.gif
Pollution, Variation, and Adaptation: The Peppered Moth
What is the relationship between natural selection and the environment?
How do humans affect evolution by natural selection?
Inference 2Differential Survival i.e.
Natural Selection
Darwin & Wallace
Fact 5Heritability of
Much Individual Variation
Observation & Farmers
What would make these mutations heritable?
What might cause these variations in phenotype?
Pollution and Heritability: Developmental Deformities
Do these phenomena fit in the process of evolution by natural selection? Why or why not?
Volpe 1985
Volpe 1985
http://www.shrani.si/pics/slika2rkv62.jpg
http://www.2think.org/keeling_curve.shtml
Human Imprints and Global CO2 Levels
How might increased CO2 levels affect life processes?
How might changes in CO2 levels affect evolutionary events?
What biological variations might be selected for or against with increased CO2 levels?
What is the change in CO2 in the last 50 years?
Do these phenomena fit in the process of evolution by natural selection? Why or why not?
Ecosystem Earth:Where have we been? Where are we going?
http://fti.neep.wisc.edu/neep602/LEC1/10075945.jpg
To Do’s (Ideas)
• This outline on NESCent Web Site
• Curriculum paper: American Biology Teacher (In prep)
• Primer – 100 pages, Teacher and student guide: How to publish?
• Teacher Workshop – How to arrange?
• Classroom to ‘Experiment with?’ (Durham Elementary Science Director – ‘No’)
• Ideas?
Heredity
I am the family face; Flesh perishes, I live on,Projecting trait and traceThrough time to times anon,And leaping from place to place Over oblivion.
The years-heired feature that canIn curve and voice and eyeDespise the human spanOf durance – that is I;The eternal thing in man, That heeds no call to die.
Thomas Hardy, in Moments of Vision