Genevolution

Fourth Quarter Project

Assignment: Working on your own, complete a combination of mini-projects from those listed below. There are 50 total required project points, and you may earn up to 75 points (25 points extra credit available). You may complete ONE challenging assignment, or any combination of difficult and moderate assignments to reach your desired points. All students will also receive points for returning the notification of Project form and for being on-task during research time.

Challenging Assignments: Worth 75 points each. (2-4 page limit, double spaced, 12 point font, standard margins.

1. Analyze an Article: Select, read and write a critical analysis of a Stephen Jay Gould scientific article. A copy of the article MUST be included.
2. Summarize a Chapter: Read any chapter of “Dragons of Eden” NOT covered in either class and write a summary.
3. Prediction Paper: Research one of the scientific predictions made in Dragons of Eden. What is the current science, was Sagan’s prediction right, and what is your future prediction?
4. “Future Creature” Make a poster showing how the descendants of an existing animal will change in the next 100 million years. Include the scientific name, a map of its range, and a visual of your creature, with text explaining reasons for each change.

Difficult Assignments: Worth 50 points each.

1. Pictorial Timeline: Make a pictorial timeline showing the history of life on Earth. Include a scale, and major evolutionary events, and the names of all major geologic periods with a visual of a representative organism for each time period.
2. SciFi Story: Write a 2-5 page story on the future evolution of humans.
3. Write a Compare/Contrast Essay: Write a 2-5 page essay comparing and contrasting one or more creation myth with the scientific view of evolution.

Moderate Assignments: Worth 25 points each.

1. Make a Model: Make a 3D model of DNA that is at least 10 base-pairs long. Include a key.
2. Write a Genetics Problem Set: Using punnett squares, research any traits NOT discussed in class, then write and solve your OWN genetics problems similar to those given in science. Write at least 3 problems.
3. Family Tree of Life: Make a “family tree” showing the history of life on Earth with the evolutionary branchings of every major taxa.
4. Punnett Square: Solve a 4x4 punnett square correctly, and give the probability of each possible offspring. Mrs. Bascom has these.
5. Your Family Tree: Make a pedigree chart showing AT LEAST 3 traits of your choice for 3 or more generations within a real biological family. Use correct symbols.
6. Determine Your Genotype: Use the information from the “build a baby” lab to determine your probable genotype for every characteristic listed, and make a display of your findings

Due Dates:

Project Notification March 22^nd 5 points

Research - on task during research time March 23^rd – 25^th 20 points

First Miniproject/Rough Draft April 13^th 25 points

All Remaining MiniProjects/Final Draft May 4^th 25- 50 points

Challenging Project Guidelines:

1. Analyze an Article:

Requirement Due Date Points

Rough Draft April 13^th 25

A first draft of all writing. Must be typed, double spaced, with bibliography

Final Paper May 4^th 50

Papers must include all of the following information:

• A clear summary of the article 10
• Explanation of any points of view opposing 10

those expressed in the article

• Clearly stated opinion(s) about the article 10

Points will also be given for

• A copy of the article 5
• Writing Mechanics 5
• Clarity of presentation/organization 5
• Bibliography 5
• Spelling/Grammar/Factual errors -1 each, up to -10

2. Summarize a Chapter:

Requirement Due Date Points

Rough Draft April 13^th 25

A first draft of all writing. Must be typed, double spaced, with bibliography

Final Paper May 4^th 50

Papers must include all of the following information:

• A clear summary of the chapter 10
• Explanation of any points of view opposing 10

those expressed in the chapter

• Clearly stated opinion(s) about the chapter 10

Points will also be given for

• A copy of the article 5
• Writing Mechanics 5
• Clarity of presentation/organization 5
• Bibliography 5
• Spelling/Grammar/Factual errors -1 each, up to -10

3. Prediction Paper:

Requirement Due Date Points

Rough Draft April 13^th 25

A first draft of all writing. Must be typed, double spaced, with bibliography

Final Paper May 4^th 50

Papers must include all of the following information:

• Clear explanation of the prediction 5
• Explanation current science 10
• Was Sagan correct? Justify 5
• Your prediction for the future scientific development in this area 10

Points will also be given for

• A copy of the article 5
• Writing Mechanics 5
• Clarity of presentation/organization 5
• Bibliography 5
• Spelling/Grammar/Factual errors -1 each, up to -10

4. Future Creature

Requirement Due Date Points

Rough Draft April 13^th 25

o Create a creature worksheet 15

o TYPED version of all text for poster, including bibliography 10

Final Poster May 4^th 50

o Visual of creature and ancestors 10

o Map of range and new continental arrangement 5

o Scientific name of creature 2

o Description of creature’s lifestyle 8

o Causes for evolutionary changes fully explained 10

o Makes Sense/Consistent 5

o Shows Time Spent/Appearance 5

o Bibliography 5

o Spelling/Grammer/Factual errors -1 each, up to -10

Difficult Assignments

1. Pictorial Timeline

Requirement Points

• An accurate scale 10
• Names of all major geological time periods 10
• Any significant evolutionary events during each time period 10
• Pictorial representation of one or more dominant lifeform(s) during each time period 15
• Bibliography 5
• Spelling/Grammar/Factual errors -1 each, up to -5

2. SciFi Story

Requirement Points

• Story describes a future human society 15
• Story has a clear plot 15
• Writing Mechanics 10
• Clarity of presentation/organization 10
• Spelling/Grammar errors -1 each, up to -5

3. Write a Compare/Contrast Essay

Requirement Points

• Clearly Stated Thesis Statement/Conclusion 5
• Clearly Explains Creation Myth 10
• Clearly Explains Evolution 10
• Compares and Contrasts the 2 10
• Writing Mechanics 5
• Clarity of presentation/organization 5
• Bibliography 5
• Spelling/Grammar/Factual errors -1 each, up to -5

Moderate Assignments

1. Make a Model:

Requirement Points

o 3D model of DNA 5

o At least 10 base-pairs long 5

o Base pairing is correct 5

o Includes a key 5

o Shows Time Spent/Appearance 5

2. Write a Genetics Problem Set:

Requirement Points

o Uses traits not discussed in class 4

o Written in story-problem form 4

o Includes a solved punnett square (key) and a blank

copy of each problem 2

o Probability of each possible offspring included 4

o AT LEAST 3 problems included 3

o Solutions are correct 4

o Bibliography 4

3. Family Tree of Life:

Requirement Points

o Family tree” format showing the history of life on Earth 5

o Includes the evolutionary branchings of every major taxa 10

o Includes Illustrations 10

o Shows Time Spent/Appearance 5

o Bibliography 5

4. Punnett Square:

Requirement Points

o Uses a 4 x 4 cross 5

o Correct Punnett Square 10

o Correct probability of each possible offspring given 10

5. Your Family Tree:

Requirement Points

o Correct Pedigree Format 5

o AT LEAST 3 traits shown 5

o 3 or more generations within a real biological family 5

o Correct/possible phenotypes 5

o Shows Time Spent/Appearance 5

6. Determine Your Genotype:

Requirement Points

o Includes all traits 10

o Made into a display 5

o Correct/possible phenotypes and genotype 5

o Shows Time Spent/Appearance 5

NOTIFICATION OF PROJECT

Student Name (print) ______________________________

I have seen the project description. I will help my son/daughter choose one or more projects and work to complete all the requirements by the deadlines above. At this time, my child chooses to complete the following activity or activities:

_________________________________________ worth ___________ points

_________________________________________ worth ___________ points

_________________________________________ worth ___________ points

__________________________________________ _______________

Parent Signature Date

__________________________________________ _______________

Student Signature Date