Evolution: Online Lessons for Students: Lesson 1 Teacher Page

LESSON 1: Teacher Page

Students will explore how the scientific process helps develop our understanding of the natural world. They also will explore how science is viewed by the general public versus by practicing scientists. By examining actual field research via video clips, students will learn about the components of the scientific process.

Activity 1: A Survey about Science

Students conduct a survey about the nature of science, evolution, and scientific laws, theories, and hypotheses.

	Learning Goals
	•	Examine the public perception of science
	•	Learn about the scientific process
	•	Appreciate the importance of scientific literacy

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Activity 2: What Killed the Dinosaurs?

Students use the concept of the extinction of the dinosaurs to introduce the idea of formulating and examining scientific hypotheses.

	Learning Goals
	•	Use evidence to form hypotheses
	•	Examine how evidence can be used to support more than one hypothesis
	•	Understand that hypotheses can be tested by inference as well as by observations

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Activity 3: Ancient Farmers of the Amazon

Students analyze research on leafcutter ants to better understand the scientific process.

	Learning Goals
	•	Apply the scientific process
	•	Develop hypotheses
	•	Understand how evidence is used to accept or reject a hypothesis

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Additional Activities
Find out what a card trick and some finches have to do with the nature of science.

View LESSON 1 Student Page


	Evolution

	Extinction

	Fact

	Hypothesis

	Inference

	Law

	Science

	Theory

	Assessment Rubric Guidelines for assessing students' mastery of activity.

	National Science Standards for LESSON 1

	Time to Learn! Each clock icon respresents approximately one 45-minute classroom session (not including homework).