PEDAGOGICAL CONSIDERATIONS
Evolution and natural selection are full of student misconceptions that the teacher has to clearly
Explaining Evolution Evolution has always been a relevant topic, whether being explained in learning environments or thoroughly investigated by scientists, why is it so important? Evolution tells the story of how humans, as well as other species, came to be. The articles “12 Examples of Evolution Today” by Erin Brodwin and “A Possible Break in One of Evolution’s Biggest Mysteries” by Peter Brannen are both compelling with the information they provide, and contain insights into the world of evolution. Brannen’s article is specifically focused on the whale and studying the barnacles on their bodies to gain more knowledge on the story of their evolution, whereas Brodwin’s article is broader and shares information on different species that evolved…
Mutations are changes in the genetic code which is the only way through which new genetic material and variations can be obtained. Mutations further include chromosomal mutations which is necessary for various variations. Genetic Drift can be defined as how the changes that occur randomly in the frequency of alleles which impact populations of many species. These also lead to effects such as bottle neck and founders effect.…
The natural simulation done in class was a good representation natural selection in the wilderness. The four things that Darwin identified that must be present in order for natural selection to occur are genetic variation, overproduction of offspring, struggle for existence, and differential survival and reproduction. This activity demonstrated all these factors except genetic variation. For over production of offspring, the beans’ populations were multiplied by three after every round. This is because out of all beans, many will not survive the round, and so more beans needed to be present than the projected amount to survive.…
Over many years, the controversy between Evolution and Creationism has taken on a whole new perspective. John Scopes, a young high school substitute teacher, was charged with illegally teaching the theory known as evolution in 1925. During this time, Creationism was mainly taught in all schools. This theory that God created the world and all life within it. At this point in time, Evolution has dominated our curriculum, it is the process by which living organisms evolve and adapt (“Introduction”).…
Casey Luskin who has earned himself a B.S and an M.S in Earth sciences from the University of California, San Diego; has found what he believes to be the three main issues with how Darwinian evolution is taught in public schools. Starting off with how the students should be informed about how fossil records often lack transitional forms and that “explosions” of new species/life forms which challenges Darwinian evolutionary theory. Secondly, students should know that many scientists have come forward to directly challenge random mutation and natural selections ability to create complex biological features. To end his list he states that students should be directed to the many pieces of evidence that Darwinism uses for proof are weak. Such as how embryos contrary to pictures in textbooks actually look different in the embryonic stage.…
Impact and Effects of the “Scope Monkey Trial” (1925) on Public Education Throughout United States history, the topic of evolution has been the center of a highly contested and controversial subject. Even when trying to define what evolution means, one is able to find many different definitions as well as opinions. However, for this paper, evolution will be defined as “Change from time in populations of living organisms; irreversible transformation in genetic compositions of populations” [Bolker (2017)]. The conversation of evolution has been around for hundreds of years, but it can be argued that the controversy of creation vs. evolution began in the early 19th century. The subject arose when Jean-Baptiste Lamarck proposed the idea…
Many decades ago, evolution was a very sensitive subject that was not allowed in the classrooms. The high school biology teacher John Scopes was “charged with illegally teaching the theory of evolution” (The monkey trial 1) and Scopes was found guilty and fined $100 , but the verdict was overturned on a technicality. The bizarre trial drew a lot of attention on the subject of evolution and it represented a “significant setback for the anti-evolution forces” (6). In fact, “Of the fifteen states with anti-…
Nehm and Reilly’s article titled “Biology Majors’ Knowledge and Misconceptions of Natural Selection” as well as Anderson, Fisher, and Norman’s article titled “Development and Evaluation of the Conceptual Inventory of Natural Selection” helped clear my personal misconceptions and taught me about some common misconceptions related to evolution.…
This means that some students may actually want to learn about how we as humans became so developed throughout the millions of years we’ve been on this planet. It’s a crucial part of school to be able to learn about how we evolved from other species that came before us. Parents can keep that from their own child if they choose to do so, but keeping it from millions of other children isn’t a fair choice. Teachers believe students should learn evolution no matter what religion they are so they can have a mind of their own and decide what they believe in and what they…
Measurable Outcomes 1. Describe and demonstrate knowledge of modern evolutionary synthesis, natural selection, population genetics, micro and macroevolution, and speciation. I learned about the speciation of animals in Module 3 and in Module 4 I learned about modern evolutionary synthesis, natural selection, population genetics, and mirco and macroevolution. I was able to learn all this information due to the chapter 46 and chapter 47 notes, the online textbook, and the PowerPoint notes. This along with using reliable websites and articles is how I gathered my information on the concepts.…
Many credible scientists will defend the basis for the theory of evolution. High school curriculum should include the element of the theory of evolution because of the support of evidence and the scientific community.…
Several studies have shown that with a population a species phenotype could evolve due to changes in numerous…
Learning objectives 1.1-1.26 apply to the concept of evolution; LOs 1.1-1.5 and 3.24 apply to natural selection; LOs 3.24-3.28 apply to…
The Theory of Evolution, conducted by Charles Darwin brought a grateful amount of controversy in the science and education fields today. Debates between is Darwin’s evolution theory correct and if it should be taught in schools. Many disagree that Darwin’s theory should be taught in public schools because it is not proven and it’s a religious belief. Yet Darwin’s theory has all the characteristics of applying to science education. Teaching evolution in public schools wouldn’t change one’s morals or beliefs.…
The first force of evolution is mutation which is something that we cannot control, it just happens by chance and it also effects the patient on a chromosomal level so the mutation passes on to offspring. The second force of evolution is gene flow which is basically a difference in the genes of 2 different groups of the same species that have slight differences in their genetic makeup because of their environment. The third force of evolution is genetic drift which, like mutation, occurs randomly and it is the percentage that an allele will change from one generation to the next. The final force of evolution is natural selection which is probably the most known force, it is natures way of getting rid of bad genes by killing them off. B)Unlike…