Activity: Evolution 101 Website – Year 10

Quick summary: Students create a website that visually describes aspects of evolution, including natural selection, the fossil record, speciation, the role of DNA in understanding evolution, and the work of Charles Darwin and Alfred Russell Wallace. Students are asked to identify the issues relating to evolution that interest them the most, and work in groups to create website assets that communicate the issue they are interested in. Students will need to present their website to teachers and peers for feedback, and then incorporate any changes into their website.

Learning goals:

• Students recognise a range of theories supporting evolution.
• Students understand the value of representing scientific ideas through a range of different visual mediums.

21st century skills:

Australian Curriculum Mapping

Content description:

Year 10 Science

• The theory of evolution by natural selection explains the diversity of living things and is supported by a range of scientific evidence (ACSSU185)
• The transmission of heritable characteristics from one generation to the next involves DNA and genes (ACSSU184)

Syllabus Outcomes: SC5-14LW. 

General capabilities: Critical and creative thinking.

Cross-curriculum priority: Sustainability OI.2.

Relevant parts of Year 10 Science achievement standards: Students explain the processes that underpin heredity and evolution.

Topic: Evolution.

Time required: 60+ mins; this activity can be extended over several sessions.

Level of teacher scaffolding: Low – oversee activity.

Resources required: Internet access, website/blog (e.g. WordPress or Blog.com). Student Worksheet – one copy per student OR computers/tablets to access the online worksheet. Evolution Website Assessment Rubric. In addition students may need a range of resources to create website assets, such as cameras, tablets, computers, editing programs for video and audio assets, desktop publishing program, access to programs such as Piktochart, Prezi, Green Screen app etc.

Digital technology opportunities: Blog/website creation, digital sharing capabilities.

Homework and extension opportunities: Includes opportunities for extension.

Keywords: Evolution, website, fossil record, natural selection, speciation, homologous, analogous, DNA, Charles Darwin, Alfred Russel Wallace.

Cool Australia’s curriculum team continually reviews and refines our resources to be in line with changes to the Australian Curriculum.