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| Evolution Webquest |
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Introduction |
Evolution is known as the "Unifying Theory of Biology", yet it is probably the most controversial theory. Some people oppose evolution because of religious beliefs, and some even believe strongly that the theory should not be taught in schools at all. The debate has been going on for several years. Most biologists feel that you can't teach about organisms and biology without using the Theory of Evolution to explain why things are they way they are. Additionally the Arizona state standards and the National Science education standards require that it is taught.
Your job as a biologist is to work with a team to create an informational web site exploring the controversy of evolution and answering some of your own questions about the topic. It is best to enter this project with an open mind. |
Task |
Your final project is a web page that will be posted on the web for other students, teachers and adults in the community to read, so you should always consider your audience.
If you don't know how to make a webpage, don't worry. The word processor (Microsoft Word) on your computer will convert what you write into a webpage. The conversion will be done after you submit your work to Mrs. Robson in .doc format. Your web page should be visually appealing and contain lots of good information and facts about the Theory of Evolution and include some pictures. Here is a tutorial on how to create a webpage using word if you decide to finish this project from home or in the school computer lab. Please make sure if you submit the file in html format that you include all of the associated images by zipping the folder with all of the files. Tutorial on Creating Webpages in Word. |
Learning Goals |
1. Learn the main tenants of the theory of evolution.
2. Articulate this knowledge in the form of a web page.
3. Organize the information.
4. Understand what a scientific theory is, and why alternate explanations (such as creationism and intelligent design) cannot be addressed by science.
5. Evaluate your own attitudes regarding the topic of evolution.
6. Determine what are facts of evolution and what are misconceptions. |
Process: You must do the process IN ORDER and DOCUMENT all steps |
1. First get together with your group and look at the Evolution Quiz. As a group, determine which ones you think are true and which ones you think are false. Set the questions aside. When you are finished with the project, you will be experts, and you can go back and retake the quiz. Keep the answers to this quiz (both before and after you complete the quest) on a sheet of paper that will be turned in when the webquest is completed. You should have a before and after copy of your answers. Make sure create a "project folder" to store this and other documents.
2. Brainstorm a list of things you know (or think you know) about the theory of evolution, write these down on a paper and save in your project folder, which will be turned in when the webquest is completed.
3. Develop a list of things you do not know, would like to know or are confused about. A list of questions can also suffice. Write these down and keep them in your project folder, which will be turned in when the webquest is completed.
4. Use the internet to research the topic (individually!!). You should use all of the pages suggested in the "Suggested Resources" section. Keep a journal of important facts and information you find that you think would be good to include in your final web page. As you search, you may want to download any pictures that you would want to put in your own web page. This journal serves as a "log" of your research, so that you can show that you did your share of the work. This will be done as homework. Please let Mrs. Robson know immediately if you are unable to access the internet from home.
5. Rejoin your group on the following day, use your journals from the research to determine what information will be included on your web page. Document each group member's specific contributions to the project and how each person will be held accountable for his/her portion of the work.
6. Design the web page on paper first. Place individual journals in the Project File. Also, write a plan of how each member of your group will contribute to this project.
7. Execute your web page plan on the computer.
8. Submit your final product to Mrs. Robson. You may email the .doc file or you may zip the html file and all corresponding files and send everything using http://www.yousendit.com |
Requirements |
Your web page MUST include the following:
1. The theory of evolution explained in the context of natural selection
2. Include common questions people have about evolution
3. At least three misconceptions about evolution will be posted with a rebuttal from a scientific viewpoint.
4. Use creativity (clipart, jpg) to support your arguments (cite specific sources of all art used - google images is not a source!)
5. Approximate length - 1-2 pages (1 html document)
6. Target audience is other students, teachers or other adults in the community
7. Title, Names of group members, each member's contributions, date.
8. References - cited in MLA format
You should NEVER copy and paste information from other sources, your site must be entirely in your own words, with correct citation for all information and research gathered. |
Suggested Resources |
1. http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/historyoflife/histoflife.html
2. http://www.talkorigins.org/
3. http://www.indiana.edu/~ensiweb/lessons/ev.not.html
4. http://www.religioustolerance.org/evolutio.htm
5. http://www.anth.ucsb.edu/projects/human/
6. http://www.evolutionhappens.net/
7. http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/natsci/vertpaleo/fhc/fhc.htm
8. http://www.toptenmyths.com/
9. http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/biology/variationandinheritance/3evolutionrev2.shtml
10. http://books.nap.edu/html/creationism/
11. http://www.biologyinmotion.com/evol/index.html
12. http://wilstar.com/theories.htm
13. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/evolution/religion/faith/ |
Clipart |
Try these sites to get images that you can use and are not copyrighted.
Discovery Clipart
Pics 4 Learning
Barry's Clipart
Classroom Clip Art
Enchanted Learning
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Evaluation |
Please refer to the table below for specifics on how you are to be graded for this assignment. Once you are finished with this assignment please email the final copy in .doc format to Mrs. Robson. We will then convert your word document from her computer.
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| Needs
work (4 pts) | Adequate
(6 pts) | Excellent
(8 pts) | Possible |
Layout / Design |
The pages are unattractive. Text is difficult to read. The backgrounds are distracting.
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The pages appear "busy" or "boring". Text may be difficult to read. The backgrounds are somewhat distracting. |
The pages are eye-catching and attractive. Text is easy to read. The backgrounds are subtle and appropriate.
| 8 |
Graphics
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There are no photos, icons or clip art or they are inappropriate or they are not referenced. | Photos,
icons, and clip art present, most are appropriate | Photos,
icons, and clip art are used creatively and may follow a theme. |
8 |
References | References are included, however they are incomplete and/or not in the correct format. Note: If no references are provided the entire paper will receive a zero. | All information and graphics are referenced, however, the formatting is not correct and/or the references are only included at the end of the page, not within the body of the work. | All sources are properly cited in MLA format, both within the text and in a references section at the bottom, with hyperlinks for all digital sources. |
8 |
Content | Evolution
is not explained or there are errors in the explanation | Evolution
is explained, somewhat difficult to understand, minor errors. Most requirements from the requirements section are met. | Evolution
is explained well and creatively, and is appropriate for the target audience. All requirements from the requirements section are met. |
8 |
Information
| Information
is poorly written, inaccurate, or incomplete, obviously copied directly from other
websites | Information
could be better written and too much information is given in each section, display
some unique thoughts | Information
is well written and interesting to read and is presented in short sections, obviously constructed from group's own thoughts | 8 |
Misonceptions | Misconceptions are not listed, or scientific viewpoint inaccurate or missing. | Some
misconceptions addressed and answered from a scientific viewpoint | 3
or more misonceptions addressed and answered clearly from a scientific viewpoing |
8 |
| Technical | Page
missing a title, group names, contributions of each member, or date. (0 pts) | Title,
group names including the contributions of each member and the date are all present on website. (2 pts) | | 2 |
TOTAL
POSSIBLE | | | |
50 |
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Test Yourself |
Test Yourself Here: Give this site a try if you want to test what you have learned during this webquest.
Test Yourself One More Time: Give this site a try if you want to take the test to the next level!
Test Yourself Yet Another Time: Here is yet another quiz on evolution!
Test Yourself One Last Time: Here is ANOTHER quiz on evolution!
Let Mrs. Robson know if you tried these quizzes!
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Credits |
Hicks, Mark A. "Science Free Clip Art Gallery." Discovery School. Discovery Education. 28 Dec. 2006 (http://school.discovery.com/clipart/category/scie0001.html ).
Muskopf, Shannan. "Webquest Resources." The Biology Corner. 27 Dec. 2006 ( http://www.biologycorner.com/).
Note: This webquest is adapted from the one created by Shanna Muskopf, some parts are entirely her work. |
2006-2007 Student Pages |
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