Evolution Extravaganza: Mechanisms in Motion!

8th Grade Project 4 weeks

Evolution Extravaganza: Mechanisms in Motion!

Lindsey B

8.MS-LS4-4

8.MS-LS4-5

Effective Communication

Critical Thinking & Problem Solving

1-pager

The Challenge

Mechanisms of evolution (both natural and artificial) affect local ecosystems and native species, resulting in biodiversity changes and shifts in the communities reliant on those resources. Human impacts, including climate change can reduce wildlife genetic diversity, emphasizing the urgent need for strategic conservation and sustainable practices to mitigate ecosystem damage.

Standards

[Massachusetts] 8.MS-LS4-4 - Use a model to describe the process of natural selection, in which genetic variations of some traits in a population increase some individuals' likelihood of surviving and reproducing in a changing environment. Provide evidence that natural selection occurs over many generations.
[Massachusetts] 8.MS-LS4-5 - Synthesize and communicate information about artificial selection, or the ways in which humans have changed the inheritance of desired traits in organisms.

Competencies

Effective Communication - Students practice listening to understand, communicating with empathy, and share their learning through exhibiting, presenting and reflecting on their work.
Critical Thinking & Problem Solving - Students consider a variety of innovative approaches to address and understand complex questions that are authentic and important to their communities.

Learning Partners and Clients

Partner with state and local a local conservation groups to allow students to more deeply explore the impact of evolutionary changes on local ecosystems. Students will investigate local critical indicator, threatened, or endangered species over time to better understand the evolutionary changes to these important ecosystem components. They will develop a SWAP (State Wildlife Action Plan) to support local wildlife populations, discussing the alignment with principles of genetic diversity and evolution and using the Brook trout school program as a model. Students will present their SWAPS to stakeholders who will provide valuable insights and feedback to deepen students' understanding of ecosystem sustainability and biodiversity conservation strategies.

Phase Outcomes

Phase	Learning Outcome
Discover	I can identify the depletion local species and declining biodiversity as complex challenges rooted in evolutionary mechanisms, including environmental changes human activities with the goal of engaging in initial activities to spark conviction about the need for sustainable solutions.
Examine	I can investigate how genetic traits and the main mechanisms of evolution influence species survival amid environmental changes by examining real-world problems like overfishing and habitat destruction, and connect findings to sustainable practices through research and hands-on experiences.
Engineer	I can develop an innovative model (SWAP) that simulates the effects of genetic variation on species survival, utilizing data from local ecosystems to guide the construction of solutions addressing real-world environmental challenges.
Do	I can implement my solution by testing models and collecting data on the effectiveness of genetic trait simulations, analyzing outcomes to refine strategies for preserving ecosystem health and sustainability before presenting them to local experts.
Share	I can share my project's impact on preserving species through a dynamic presentation to community partners and peers, reflecting on both my learning journey and personal growth, emphasizing the importance of informed action and genetic diversity.

Copied from Evolution Extravaganza: Mechanisms in Motion!

Rubric

Competency Progression Rubric Competency-first rubric

Category	Learning Goal	Stage 1	Stage 2	Stage 3	Stage 4
Deeper Learning Competencies	Effective Communication	I can describe my model of natural selection by explaining how genetic variations help some species survive changes in their environment and use specific examples to show how these changes happen over many generations I clearly share my ideas with my peers and community partners, ensuring they understand the importance of what I have learned about evolution and ecosystem sustainability.	I can explain how natural and artificial selection impact local ecosystems by using specific examples of species and genetic traits, and I am able to share what I've learned about these processes by creating a clear and organized presentation for my peers, even if I need some guidance to fully connect my findings to sustainability practices.	I can confidently present my SWAP project to community partners and peers, clearly explaining how the model simulates genetic variation and showcases sustainable strategies for biodiversity conservation I effectively use visuals and data to support my key points and respond thoughtfully to feedback, demonstrating understanding and engagement with local ecosystem challenges.	I can effectively communicate the impact of genetic variations on species survival and reproduction by using a model to describe natural selection and artificial selection processes, and present my findings clearly and persuasively to local conservation stakeholders, demonstrating an insightful understanding of biodiversity changes and sustainable practices.
Deeper Learning Competencies	Critical Thinking & Problem Solving	I can begin to explore the basic concepts of natural and artificial selection by identifying simple genetic traits that may influence species survival, using basic models to show how these traits might affect populations in changing environments and gathering initial ideas to connect these observations to real-world environmental issues.	I can identify and explain some of the basic processes of natural and artificial selection using models, showing how certain traits can help species adapt and survive in changing environments I am beginning to analyze real-world examples, like local wildlife, to connect genetic traits to environmental changes, with some guidance in my investigation and analysis.	I can analyze and explain how genetic variations impact species survival in changing environments by using models to simulate natural and artificial selection I apply this understanding to develop strategic solutions for enhancing biodiversity and ecosystem sustainability, effectively drawing connections to real-world environmental challenges.	I can critically evaluate and integrate diverse information about both natural and artificial selection to develop a comprehensive model that predicts the impact of genetic variations on species survival in fluctuating environments I demonstrate mastery by confidently using data from local ecosystems to support my model, apply innovative conservation strategies, and effectively present findings to community partners, showing a deep understanding of biodiversity changes and its implications for sustainable practices.

Learning Journey

Discover

Students will investigate how human decisions and environmental changes are impacting local fish and wildlife populations by engaging directly with community partners, documenting real evidence, and defining a grounded challenge that will guide their population modeling and conservation design work.

Days 1 - 2

105 min over capacity (70 min available across 2 days)

🎣 Vanishing Brook Trout Launch

Launch 35m

🧬 Natural vs Artificial Selection Lab

Knowledge/Skill Building 35m

🧩 Challenge Definition

Deliverable 35m

👥 End User Overview

Deliverable 17m

❓ Inquiry Questions

Deliverable 18m

🎤 Conservation Partner Q&A

Community Experience 35m

Examine

Students will investigate how genetic traits, environmental pressures, and human decisions interact to influence species survival and biodiversity. Through community interviews, data analysis, and structured root cause investigation, they will synthesize evidence into a clear problem statement and propose a research-informed conservation direction grounded in natural and artificial selection.

Days 3 - 11

🧬 Natural vs Artificial Selection Lab

Knowledge/Skill Building 35m

📊 Brook Trout Data Dive

Research 35m

📚 Source Evaluation Report

Deliverable 35m

📄 Solution Proposal

Deliverable 35m

Engineer

Students will generate multiple evidence-based conservation solution concepts for brook trout or another local species, evaluate them against documented community needs, gather early stakeholder feedback, and produce a detailed, community-informed plan and hypothesis to guide implementation and testing in the next phase.

Days 12 - 17

🧪 Hypothesis

Deliverable 35m

🔍 Exemplar Exploration

Deliverable 35m

🛠️ Creation Plan

Deliverable 35m

Do

Students will implement and test their Brook Trout SWAP population models and conservation proposals with real community partners, collect and analyze evidence of effectiveness, gather stakeholder feedback, and document how their solution performs and improves based on real-world input.

Days 18 - 19

🗺️ Implementation and Data Collection Plan

Deliverable 20m

📊 Evidence & Allele Frequency Analysis

Knowledge/Skill Building 15m

🧪 Live Brook Trout Model Pilot

Community Experience 20m

🔁 Revision Decisions from Stakeholder Feedback

Project Work 15m

Share

Students will present their brook trout population models and Community-Validated SWAP proposals to conservation partners, demonstrate how natural and artificial selection shaped their design decisions, document stakeholder feedback, and reflect on their scientific growth and community impact.

Day 20

🌊 Virtual SWAP Presentation to Conservation Partners

Deliverable 20m

📝 Growth Reflection

Assessment 5m

Plan

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Evolution Extravaganza: Mechanisms in Motion!

The Challenge

Standards

Competencies

Learning Partners and Clients

Phase Outcomes

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