Evolution Lesson 1: An Introduction to Charles Darwin and the Nature of Science

Evolution Project This project will bring together many ideas in biology that we have learned throughout the year This is a GROUP project. 4 th quarter grades: Daily classwork and homework grades Classwork and homework must be kept in a portfolio that will be collected. Final Exam grade: Five “In Depth Investigations” – Your scores on these five investigations will comprise your final exam grade The unit will end on Friday May 28 th (We will be working on this project during review days since this is your final!) Consequences of not fulfilling individual work requirements.

“A scientist, however, gifted, can be compared with a fly crawling on the inside wall of a cathedral; if it could draw what it sees, the fly’s picture of the cathedral would be as crude as early maps of the world; if it could voice its speculations about the size, appearance, and purpose of the cathedral, the fly’s opinions would be received even more guardedly.” -- Frederick Aicken, The Nature of Science, pp.29-30

Evolution As An Idea Evolution As An Idea “ If I were to give an award for the single best idea anyone has ever had, I’d give it to Darwin, ahead of Newton and Einstein and everyone else. In a single stroke, the idea of evolution by natural selection unifies the realm of life, meaning and purpose with the realm of space and time, cause and effect, mechanism, and physical law. But it is not just a wonderful idea. It is a dangerous idea.” Daniel Dennet

Evolution as an Idea “Evolution is one of the most powerful ideas ever to emerge from science. It is the very foundation of biology and the key to understanding our own human origins. The mechanism of evolution helps determine who lives, who dies, and who gets the opportunity to pass on traits to the next generation. At the same time, evolution ranks as one of the most widely misunderstood scientific principles in America today.” Richard Hutton, Executive Producer, Evolution WGBH Jody Patton, Executive in Charge, Clear Blue Sky productions

Darwin’s Voyage of Discovery Take the Pre-Test Homework Go to the following link: Complete the directions in Lesson 2 Activity 1. This will require you to… Read the activity Print the world map Read the excerpts of Darwin’s Voyage Write a paragraph that answers the question: Who was Charles Darwin?