Grade Level
Initial ideas
Evolutionary Time Capsule: Tracing the Path of Life
Essential Question
"How can we use artistic expression and scientific research to create an engaging exhibit that improves public understanding of evolution and biodiversity?"
Project Overview
Imagine you are a researcher and exhibit designer preparing a brand-new installation at a science center or history museum. Over the next three weeks, your exhibit will come to life, and it’s up to you to ensure it is compelling, informative, and visually engaging. You will guide visitors through the story of evolution, demonstrating how environmental changes influence species’ survival and adaptation over time.
To accomplish this, you will design a multimedia time capsule showcasing the evolution of life. This time capsule will consist of 9 artifacts, each representing key lessons about genetics, evolution, and their relevance to today’s world.
Additionally, you will develop an educational tool or campaign aimed at improving public understanding of evolution, which will be tested and refined based on community feedback.
Project Structure
1. Time Capsule Contents (9 Items + Tool)
Each artifact should be a creative and scientifically accurate representation of evolutionary principles.
Lesson-Specific Items (7 total) – One item per lesson, clearly illustrating key concepts:
Darwin’s Theory of Evolution
Factors Affecting Genetic Variation
Hardy-Weinberg Principle
Factors Affecting Biological Diversity
Biogeographic Isolation
Fossil Record and Biological Evidence
Evolutionary Relationships
Modern Relevance Items (2 total) – Creative representations of how evolutionary principles apply today. Some examples that you may choose to research are: antibiotic resistance, climate change, human impacts on evolution such as pollution, habitat destruction, urbanization, endangered species, biomimicry, etc. Some questions to get you started include:
Where can we find real-world examples of evolution happening today?
What types of organisms (plants, animals, bacteria, etc.) are currently evolving in response to environmental changes?
How do scientists study evolution in real time?
What adaptations are species developing to survive in changing ecosystems?
Are there any new species emerging as a result of environmental pressures?
How are viruses and bacteria evolving resistance to modern medicine?
What role does evolution play in the development of new diseases or treatments?
How are human populations adapting genetically to modern diets, environments, or diseases?
How have human actions (pollution, urbanization, agriculture) influenced the evolution of organisms?
Educational Tool (1 total) – Develop an engaging way to communicate evolutionary concepts to the public. This could be a digital campaign, hands-on activity, interactive display, or another human-centered design approach. Some examples of educational tools or ways that you could engage your audience. Keep in mind that the public tool should engage your audience and tie back into the essential question - ask yourself:
Who is your audience? (Students, museum visitors, general public?)
How will they interact with your exhibit? (Will it be hands-on, digital, or multimedia?)
What makes your exhibit engaging? (Storytelling, visuals, interactive elements?)
How will you test and refine your project based on audience feedback?
Social Media Campaign - Create an educational social media campaign to share modern evolution in an engaging way. Design posts, videos, or stories that are visually appealing and informative to grab attention
Gamified Learning Experience - Design a game or challenge to teach players about modern evolution through puzzles or tasks. Use storytelling and interactivity to make the learning experience memorable and fun.
Public-Facing Interactive Website - Build an interactive website where users can explore and engage with information about evolution. Include quizzes, videos, and other activities to make learning dynamic and participatory.
Public Proposal - Create a proposal to address a modern evolutionary issue, like climate change or genetic engineering. Present your solution through a report, video, or presentation to showcase how evolution impacts real-world problems.
2. Artifact Formats & Creative Expression
In this project, you'll be exploring evolution through a creative approach. This process will help you take your ideas from concept to a final product. Follow the steps below, and complete the deliverables at each stage.
Step 1: Inspiration and Research - As you begin the creative journey, the first stage involves prep work and idea generation. This is when you gather materials and conduct research that could spark an interesting idea. Brainstorm and let your mind wander, or write in a journal to foster divergent thinking; this will help you consider all possible approaches to building out your idea.
Deliverables at this stage include research notes and mind maps that summarize key concepts from the lessons; it's also important to start brainstorming potential artifacts and creative formats.
Step 2: Ideation and Concept Development - When you have finished actively thinking about your idea, the second stage is where you let it go. Part of creative thinking is taking a step away from your idea before you sit down to flesh it out.
Deliverables at this stage include a concept statement and sketches and mockups; this includes rough drafts.
Step 3: Prototype and Experimentation - Sometimes called the insight stage, illumination is when the “aha” moment happens. The light bulb clicks on as spontaneous new connections are formed and all of that material you’ve gathered comes together to present the solution to your problem.
Deliverables at this stage include prototypes ; we are actively building artifacts and starting to develop and see our public educational tool take form.
Step 4: Refinement and Final Design - During this stage, you consider the validity of your idea and weigh it against alternatives. This is also a time of reflection when you look back at your initial concept or problem to see if your solution aligns with your initial vision.
Deliverables include changes being made using both peer and teacher review - it's important that you document how you have used the peer review process to shape your design.
Step 5: Presentation and Launch - This is the final stage of the creative process. It’s when the hard work happens.
Deliverables at this stage include your final design and presentation.
Guiding Questions
General Questions for All Artifacts
How does this artifact demonstrate the evolution of life over time?
What scientific evidence supports your representation (e.g., genetic, fossil, environmental)?
How does this idea apply to modern-day challenges or phenomena?
Lesson-Specific Guiding Questions
Darwin’s Theory of Evolution
What observations did Darwin make on the HMS Beagle?
How did Thomas Malthus influence Darwin’s ideas on population dynamics?
How does natural selection shape the traits of populations over time?
Factors Affecting Genetic Variation
What are the roles of gene flow, genetic drift, and mutation in shaping populations?
How do environmental factors like habitat loss, climate shifts, or predator-prey relationships impact genetic diversity?
Hardy-Weinberg Principle
What conditions are necessary for a population to remain in equilibrium?
How can we use the Hardy-Weinberg equation to track allele frequency changes?
Factors Affecting Biological Diversity
How do directional, stabilizing, and disruptive selection shape species traits?
How does natural selection drive speciation and genetic changes over time?
Biogeographic Isolation
What are the mechanisms of geographic, anatomical, temporal, and behavioral isolation?
How does isolation lead to speciation?
Fossil Record & Biological Evidence
How do homologous, analogous, and vestigial structures support evolutionary theory?
What role does embryonic development play in demonstrating evolutionary relationships?
Evolutionary Relationships
How do cladograms and phylogenetic trees illustrate evolutionary pathways?
What real-world examples demonstrate the relationship between modern species?
Modern Relevance
How do evolutionary principles impact today’s world?
What actions can we take to support biodiversity and prevent species loss?
Integration of Bullitt County Competencies
This project challenges you to develop key Graduate Profile Competencies that are essential for success in both academics and the real world. As a Mastery Learner, you demonstrate a deep understanding of evolution by thoughtfully curating your time capsule. Acting as a Self-Directed Navigator, you set goals, manage your time, and adapt to challenges throughout the process. Collaboration is key, and as a Productive Collaborator, you refine your work by engaging with peers and valuing diverse perspectives. Strong communication skills are vital, and as an Effective Communicator, you ensure your multimedia presentation clearly conveys complex evolutionary concepts. Finally, this project encourages you to be an Innovative Problem Solver, using creativity and critical thinking to develop unique artifacts that bring evolution to life. These competencies not only shape this project but also prepare you for future academic and professional success.
Reflection Check-Ins
Peer Check-Ins (2 required)
📌 Purpose: Share progress, discuss challenges, and provide feedback.
📌 Documentation: Journal entry reflecting on feedback received and changes made.
Teacher Check-Ins (2 required)
📌 Purpose: Get feedback on content mastery and exhibit development.
📌 Requirements:
Reflection Journal Guidelines
📌 Format: Date, summary of progress, key feedback received, and how it was implemented.
📌 Content: Reflection on competencies, challenges faced, and problem-solving approaches.
📌 Submission: Journal entries will be included in the final multimedia presentation.
