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Middle School Grade  Project 1 week

Evolution Expedition: Species Through Time

Emily A
Mar 17, 2026
Updated Jun 17, 2026
Effective Communication
1-pager

Purpose

In this project, students delve into the dynamic story of evolution by tracing the historical journey of a chosen species, fostering a deeper understanding of how environmental forces shape biodiversity. Through active research, students develop critical skills in communication and collaboration, while telling the rich narratives of survival and adaptation. This experience aims to cultivate a sense of curiosity and appreciation for the interconnectedness of life, pushing students to engage critically with both scientific concepts and real-world applications.

Learning goals

Students will deepen their understanding of the principles of natural selection and the factors influencing the evolutionary changes in species. They will enhance their ability to create visual timelines and digital infographics that clearly communicate complex information. Additionally, students will refine their skills in effective communication by presenting their research and engaging in constructive peer critiques and discussions. They will also develop their ability to synthesize information from case studies, integrating ecological and environmental contexts into their analysis of species evolution. Through collaborative activities and interactive exhibitions, students will cultivate empathy and the ability to connect historical changes in species with current environmental impacts.

Competencies
  • Effective Communication - Students practice listening to understand, communicating with empathy, and share their learning through exhibiting, presenting and reflecting on their work.

Products

Students will create a digital infographic series, detailing the evolutionary stages of their chosen species, capturing key anatomical changes and the environmental influences that prompted them. This series will serve as a visual narrative for their presentations and will be showcased during both the peer review symposium and the Evolution Gallery Walk. Additionally, students will develop and refine Google Slides presentations to effectively communicate their research findings and insights at various stages, culminating in the final exhibition.

Launch

Begin the project with a dynamic 'Species Spotlight Speed Dating' event, where students engage in short, timed interactions to share intriguing, initial facts about their chosen species' evolutionary journey. This fast-paced introduction not only sparks students' curiosity but also allows them to hear diverse perspectives and develop questions to guide their deeper research. This lively kickoff sets the tone for an engaging week of exploration and learning.

Exhibition

Launch an 'Evolution Gallery Walk' where student teams transform their research into captivating visual and interactive displays, illustrating each species' evolutionary journey. Each display functions like a museum exhibit, featuring timelines, digital infographics, and key environmental changes that shaped the species. Students engage visitors through live Q&A sessions, sharing their insights and fostering group discussions to deepen understanding of evolutionary processes.

Plan
By Phase By Day Calendar
Question Design Collect Analyze Conclude
Question
Students will encounter puzzling evolutionary phenomena, generate and refine investigable research questions about a chosen species’ adaptation, and draft a focused hypothesis with rationale that will guide the rest of their investigation.
Day 1
💨 Species Spotlight Speed Dating
Launch 12m
❓ From Wonder to Research Question
Deliverable 10m
No activities have been added to this phase yet.

Edit Phase

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Design
Students will design a systematic, evidence-based methodology to investigate how environmental changes influenced a specific adaptation in their chosen species. They will justify their approach, identify variables or sources, plan quality data collection procedures, and revise their methodology based on structured peer critique.
Day 2
🧪 Matching Method to Question Type
Knowledge/Skill Building 15m
📝 Evolution Methodology Plan
Deliverable 15m
No activities have been added to this phase yet.

Edit Phase

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Collect
Students will systematically gather, document, and quality-check evidence (fossil images, anatomical diagrams, ecological case data, and timeline milestones) aligned to their investigable research question about a specific evolutionary adaptation. They will maintain organized raw data tables and observation logs in their Evolution Investigation Research Notebook to prepare for analysis in the next phase.
Day 3
📊 Species Evidence Collection Sprint
Deliverable 20m
🧭 Data Logging Mini-Lab
Knowledge/Skill Building 15m
🧪 Methodology Alignment Check
Assessment 5m
No activities have been added to this phase yet.

Edit Phase

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Analyze
Students will interpret their collected evolutionary evidence by creating data visualizations, identifying patterns and anomalies, and determining whether their findings support, contradict, or complicate their original hypothesis about how environmental changes influenced their chosen species.
Day 4
🗣️ Evidence Interpretation Roundtable
Knowledge/Skill Building 10m
🔎 Patterns, Trends & Anomalies Protocol
Deliverable 15m
📊 Visualizing Evolutionary Data Patterns
Deliverable 20m
No activities have been added to this phase yet.

Edit Phase

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Conclude
Students will finalize evidence-based conclusions about their species’ evolutionary changes, explicitly acknowledge limitations, generate new investigable questions, and present their full investigation during a peer review symposium and Evolution Gallery Walk.
Day 5
🧠 Writing Evidence-Based Conclusions
Knowledge/Skill Building 12m
⚖️ Limitations & Future Questions Lab
Knowledge/Skill Building 8m
🎨 Final Infographic & Slide Polish
Project Work 10m
🗣️ Peer Review Symposium
Assessment 10m
🖼️ Evolution Gallery Walk & Sharing Circle
Deliverable 3m
No activities have been added to this phase yet.

Edit Phase

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Question Days 1–1
Day 1
💨 Species Spotlight Speed Dating
Launch 12m
❓ From Wonder to Research Question
Deliverable 10m
Design Days 2–2
Day 2
🧪 Matching Method to Question Type
Knowledge/Skill Building 15m
📝 Evolution Methodology Plan
Deliverable 15m
Collect Days 3–3
Day 3
📊 Species Evidence Collection Sprint
Deliverable 20m
🧭 Data Logging Mini-Lab
Knowledge/Skill Building 15m
🧪 Methodology Alignment Check
Assessment 5m
Analyze Days 4–4
Day 4
🗣️ Evidence Interpretation Roundtable
Knowledge/Skill Building 10m
🔎 Patterns, Trends & Anomalies Protocol
Deliverable 15m
📊 Visualizing Evolutionary Data Patterns
Deliverable 20m
Conclude Days 5–5
Day 5
🧠 Writing Evidence-Based Conclusions
Knowledge/Skill Building 12m
⚖️ Limitations & Future Questions Lab
Knowledge/Skill Building 8m
🎨 Final Infographic & Slide Polish
Project Work 10m
🗣️ Peer Review Symposium
Assessment 10m
🖼️ Evolution Gallery Walk & Sharing Circle
Deliverable 3m

July 2026

Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
20 Day 1
Question
💨 Species Spotlight Speed Dating 💨 Species Spotlight Speed Dating
❓ From Wonder to Research Question ❓ From Wonder to Research Question
21 Day 2
Design
🧪 Matching Method to Question Type 🧪 Matching Method to Question Type
📝 Evolution Methodology Plan 📝 Evolution Methodology Plan
22 Day 3
Collect
📊 Species Evidence Collection Sprint 📊 Species Evidence Collection Sprint
🧭 Data Logging Mini-Lab 🧭 Data Logging Mini-Lab
🧪 Methodology Alignment Check 🧪 Methodology Alignment Check
23 Day 4
Analyze
🗣️ Evidence Interpretation Roundtable 🗣️ Evidence Interpretation Roundtable
🔎 Patterns, Trends & Anomalies Protocol 🔎 Patterns, Trends & Anomalies Protocol
📊 Visualizing Evolutionary Data Patterns 📊 Visualizing Evolutionary Data Patterns
24 Day 5
Conclude
🧠 Writing Evidence-Based Conclusions 🧠 Writing Evidence-Based Conclusions
⚖️ Limitations & Future Questions Lab ⚖️ Limitations & Future Questions Lab
🎨 Final Infographic & Slide Polish 🎨 Final Infographic & Slide Polish
🗣️ Peer Review Symposium 🗣️ Peer Review Symposium
🖼️ Evolution Gallery Walk & Sharing Circle 🖼️ Evolution Gallery Walk & Sharing Circle
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