Alien Invasion: A Unit on Adaptation

Introduction

            In order to increase hands on learning and students' construction of their own knowledge in the biology classroom, we are proposing a unit of project-based instruction in evolution. This unit develops crucial science skills and increases scientific literacy through the design of an "Alien" species. Students will be asked to research how a species from Earth could become adapted to an extreme "Alien" planet.

            Students will create a realistic model of adaptation to physical stresses of species as well as assessing the new ecological community in which the "Alien" evolved. Instructors will need a solid understanding of evolution and ecology. Students will also be researching current scientific literature, which the instructor should be familiar with and be able to guide the students through.

            Other objectives in this unit include class discussions of case studies in evolution and ecology, which the instructor will need to provide, as well as students experiments on physical stress and species adaptations. The instructor will need to facilitate the students in designing their experiments, which requires a knowledge base in extreme environment adaptation. For information on extreme environments see websites and printed material provided in the resource list.

            In this unit students will be researching a significant amount of information on the Internet as well as a lesson using Gizmo simulations. Both of these will require the instructor to have sufficient Internet and computer skills. The Gizmo simulations will require downloading software from the website, found in the resource list. The website also provides instructor resources such as guided instructions and student worksheets.

            The culmination of the project will be a round robin poster session, where the students will present their model and conclusions. Instructor will need to facilitate professional and scientific presentation etiquette as well as provide an open and constructive classroom in which students can evaluate themselves and their peers while furthering their knowledge of evolution and ecology.