Evolution+and+Earth+History

= Survival of the Fittest =

Find out how life evolved on our planet by studying rocks, fossils, and comparative anatomy. Make predictions about the future evolution of the living things on Earth.



Here are a few things all middle school students should know about evolution and Earth History by the end of the school year.

As a basis for understanding this concept, students know: a. both genetic variation and environmental factors are causes of evolution and diversity of organisms. b. the reasoning used by Darwin in making his conclusion that natural selection is the mechanism of evolution. c. how independent lines of evidence from geology, fossils, and comparative anatomy provide a basis for the theory of evolution. d. how to construct a simple branching diagram to classify living groups of organisms by shared derived characteristics, and expand the diagram to include fossil organisms. e. extinction of a species occurs when the environment changes and the adaptive characteristics of a species are insufficient for its survival.
 * Evolution**
 * 3. Biological evolution accounts for the diversity of species developed through gradual processes over many generations.**

As the basis for understanding this concept, students know: a. Earth processes today are similar to those that occurred in the past and slow geologic processes have large cumulative effects over long periods of time. b. the history of life on Earth has been disrupted by major catastrophic events, such as major volcanic eruptions or the impact of an asteroid. c. the rock cycle includes the formation of new sediment and rocks. Rocks are often found in layers with the oldest generally on the bottom. d. evidence from geologic layers and radioactive dating indicate the Earth is approximately 4.6 billion years old, and that life has existed for more than 3 billion years. e. fossils provide evidence of how life and environmental conditions have changed. f. how movements of the Earth's continental and oceanic plates through time, with associated changes in climate and geographical connections, have affected the past and present distribution of organisms. g. how to explain significant developments and extinctions of plant and animal life on the geologic time scale.
 * Earth and Life History (Earth Science)**
 * 4. Evidence from rocks allows us to understand the evolution of life on Earth.**

You will study a variety of fossils, science evolution Tree of Life charts, DNA evidence, and compare the anatomy of different animals that are related and unrelated. Your job is to learn as much about the process of evolution and the affects of the environment and natural disasters on the process of natural selection so you can make predictions about the future based on your learning.

=Evolution and Earth History Links= ====Here a few links about evolution and Earth history that I would like you to explore. Fell free to find new links and add them to the collection.====

1. Exploratorium Earth

2. Extreme Science

3. Diversity and Adaptations of Animals

4. Populations and Ecosystems

5. Biological Evolution

6. Animal Diversity Web

7. Dinosaurs at American Museum of Natural History

8. Dynamic Earth

9. Rock Cycle

10. hemoglobin and sickle cell anemia animation

11. malaria animation

12. Morphed - Evolutionary Journeys =Caught In Action In Science 7 Lab= Your mission is to show off your lab skills and get "Caught in Action".

=Evolution and Earth History In The News= Find articles about evolution and Earth history in the news and share them with the class and online.

=Prediction Paparazzi= ====Add your best photo or movie, of your favorite predictions of what creatures and our universe could look like in the future, to the collection.====

= Note: Add all Earth Day Media Projects to the FMS Earth Day Wiki not to this Prediction Paparazzi. =

= Q3 Missions: = = 1.) Research and Create the Best Evolution and Earth History Comic Book in the Universe = = 2.) Create the Best Earth Day Project on the Planet and Take It To Our Earth Day In The Park Celebration =

=Play Spore or From Dust and Other Evolution and Earth History Games=

Master Mines

Land Forms Game

Nature Center Game

Science & Nature

How Stuff Works Games