Dave Stone, University Laboratory High School, Urbana, IL.

CTER Program Final Project, Summer, 1998.

Lesson #3 - Human Evolution Activity Using Biology WorkBench (2 day activity)

Assumed Background:

All students will have completed a year of Introductory Biology prior to enrolling in the Field Biology class. It is assumed that all have a good grasp of Mendelian and transmission genetics, including gene structure and function. Additionally, all will have been introduced various molecular methodologies which are significantly impacting our understanding of evolution, speciation and taxonomic relationships. Finally, all will have completed Sample Lesson #2, which is presented immediately prior to the this lesson.

Objectives:

• Students will develop skills in accessing gene sequence and protein databases.
• Students will use software tools which allow them to compare gene and protein sequences.
• Students will reinforce skills in critiquing web sites.
• Students will communicate their findings in written form.

Materials:

• Each student will need a computer connected to the Internet running Netscape 4.0 or higher, word processing software and access to a printer.

Time:

• Approximately two 50 minute class periods.

Assignment:

Human Evolution Activity Using Biology WorkBench

Now that you have been introduced to Biology Workbench through the previous activity, I'd like you to examine a tutorial which introduces the user to Biology WorkBench using an activity developed by Paul Lock, a biology teacher at Urbana High School. I would like each of you to spend the next two class periods examining his activity, Comparing Primate Proteins. Again, with Evaluating Internet Research Sources at your side, go through the lesson, being certain to critique the lesson with the following in mind:

• What did you learn from the activity?
• What do you see as the strengths of this activity?
• What do you see as the weaknesses of the activity?
• Assuming that you weren't assigned examination of this site, what could be done to maintain your interest in remaining at this site and continuing your browsing?
• How might this activity be improved?
• What would you think might be a good follow-up activity to Comparing Primate Proteins?

As was the case for the previous activity, this activity should be written up using the following format: 1) Title, 2) Purpose (in complete sentences), 3) Description of the Lesson (including URL), 4) Critique of the Lesson and 5) Suggestions for Follow-up Activities.

Your tutorial critique should be approximately one to two full pages in length. This assignment carries a single lab weighting (1/3 exam).

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Last modified on July 26, 1998.