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8th Grade  Project 4 weeks

Evolution Extravaganza: Mechanisms in Motion!

Lindsey B
Updated
8.MS-LS4-4
8.MS-LS4-5
Effective Communication
Critical Thinking & Problem Solving
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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.
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