HS-LS4 Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity
- Animals
The truth about bats and viruses
Students will answer questions about the Science News article “Why bat viruses are so dangerous,” which explores how the animals’ immune defenses might lead to killer human pathogens.
- Genetics
Cats and Punnett squares
Scientists would like to breed cats that don’t trigger allergies in people. By constructing and analyzing a Punnett square for two low-allergen cats, students will review key concepts including patterns and probabilities of inheritance, genotype, phenotype, genes, alleles, chromosomes and mutations.
- Health & Medicine
The quest to fend off cat allergies
Students will answer questions about the Science News article “How to lick cat allergies,” which explores some potential solutions to prevent and calm allergic reactions.
- Science & Society
Ten top science stories from 2019
Students will answer questions about one of Science News’ Top 10 stories of 2019.
- Life
Growing up mammal
Students will answer questions based on the Science News article “Here come the (bigger) mammals.”
- Life
Do not disturb
Students will explore the immediate and long-term effects of specific environmental disturbances, including how energy enters or leaves an ecosystem, how the biotic and abiotic characteristics of the ecosystem change and how organisms evolve under the new conditions.
- Life
Stories in rock
In this activity, students will research important fossil sites across the world and synthesize what they find into a story to present to the class.
- Earth
Dissect a scientific argument
These discussion prompts ask students to evaluate a scientific argument using the claim, evidence, reasoning model.
- Climate
Fungal threats on the rise?
Students will answer questions based on the Science News article “Climate change may raise the risk of deadly fungal infections in humans. One species is already a threat.”
- Science & Society
The great gene-editing debate
Students will research and debate a contentious issue, arguing an assigned viewpoint based on scientific evidence. This debate is focused on gene editing for the creation of human babies, but can be easily adapted for other topics.
- Genetics
Explore genetic engineering’s legacy
These discussion prompts explore how genetic engineering has been used in medicine, agriculture and basic research.
- Life
Move into a hermit crab’s shell
These discussion prompts connect concepts including energy, competition, adaptation, speciation, natural selection and chemical and physical changes to a real-world example.
