EVOLUTION
by: Marie Hebert
Reynolds Institute

Learning objective:

Students will be able to name something that scientist's study to learn about evolution. Students will be able to apply the scientific method used in studying and finding facts relating to their project. Materials:
  1.         Two exact green leaves.
  2.         Two plastic quart size re-sealable bags.
  3.         Refrigerator for freezing.
  4.         Small notebook and pencil for each student.
  5.         Overhead projector.
  6.         Prepared transparency.
Time:

                Eight week study with observations and notes taken weekly.

Experiment: - Fossils Green Plant Leaves:

After students have studied unit on fossils select two exact green plant leaves. Place one in open plastic bag and pin to a bulletin board. Place second green leaf in sealed plastic bag filled with water to cover plant. Then, freeze the water-covered leaf in refrigerator.

Introduce a scientific method of study on prepared transparency (suggestion).
    1. Science is both facts and process.
    2. Scientists make observations.
    3. Hypothesis is a scientist's educated guess about an observation.
    4. Gather information about guess.
    5. Write a hypothesis for the observations you have gathered.
    6. Test your guess with an experiment.
    7. Report results.
Students Question: Why did scientists studying fossils find specimens of fossils in glaciers more helpful? Explain your answer. Learning Process:
    1. Students may review unit to make a hypothesis statement in their notebook.
    2. Student will review and observe each leaf weekly. Students will record/date same in notebook for each leaf.
    3. At the end of eight weeks, each student will write a summary of findings and compare with initial hypothesis.
    4. The teacher will ask, "Do you accept or reject your hypothesis?"
    5. Each student will respond in written form and explain answer.