LESSON PLAN changes to adapt to the environment. Tally Sheets • Extinction is when a species fails to • Pollution & Evolution adapt to environmental change. Atmospheric CO2 Demonstration 6–8th Grades Classroom setting: Explain how human pollution can lead • Baking soda • A hands-on activity “natural selection” moth to species extinction. Vinegar • and scientific demonstration of atmospheric gases guides students to the Soap bubbles • CA 7th Grade Science Standards realization Wide/clear Tupperware container at least • 3a. Students know both genetic variation that humans are capable of altering our 4 inches deep. and environmental factors are causes environment with pollution and that a of evolution and diversity of organisms. changing environment leads to the successes and failures of species, possibly 3b. Students know the reasoning used by ours. Charles Darwin in reaching his conclusion that natural selection is the mechanism When the city of Manchester in the United of evolution. Kingdom industrialized in the 1800’s heavy 3e. Students know that extinction of a species air pollution from coal covered the occurs when the environment changes landscape and the adaptive characteristics of a with a dark sooty film. In less than 100 species are insufficient for its survival. years, the local white and black “peppered” moth population evolved into 98% dark Materials gray or black. Computer with (3.6 MG download) and projector*. Objectives: *If the school can not provide a projector, we can bring one. Students will be able to: Recall two benefits of Active • Moth Natural Selection Simulation Transportation. Black construction paper • Identify Charles Darwin as the author of • Newspaper the theory of natural selection. • Hole puncher Differentiate between: • • Evolution is when a species Tweezers • •
LESSON PLAN Pollution & Evolution 6–8th Grades Classroom setting: A hands-on “natural selection” moth activity and scientific demonstration of atmospheric gases guides students to the realization that humans are capable of altering our environment with pollution and that a changing environment leads to the successes and failures of species, possibly ours. When the city of Manchester in the United Kingdom industrialized in the 1800’s heavy air pollution from coal covered the landscape with a dark sooty film. In less than 100 years, the local white and black “peppered” moth population evolved into 98% dark gray or black. Objectives: Students will be able to: • Recall two benefits of Active Transportation. • Identify Charles Darwin as the author of the theory of natural selection. • Differentiate between: • Evolution is when a species changes to adapt to the environment. • Extinction is when a species fails to adapt to environmental change. • Explain how human pollution can lead to species extinction. CA 7th Grade Science Standards 3a. Students know both genetic variation and environmental factors are causes of evolution and diversity of organisms. 3b. Students know the reasoning used by Charles Darwin in reaching his conclusion that natural selection is the mechanism of evolution. 3e. Students know that extinction of a species occurs when the environment changes and the adaptive characteristics of a species are insufficient for its survival. Materials Computer with (3.6 MG download) and projector*. *If the school can not provide a projector, we can bring one. Moth Natural Selection Simulation • Black construction paper • Newspaper • Hole puncher • Tweezers • Tally Sheets Atmospheric CO2 Demonstration • Baking soda • Vinegar • Soap bubbles • Wide/clear Tupperware container at least 4 inches deep.