Phylogenetic Trees and Fossil Evidence of Evolution
A TriCEM lesson plan for 8th grade and up with an extended activity for high school students.
created by Rebecca W. Cook, Ph.D. Candidate in Evolutionary Anthropology, Duke University
Abstract
This lesson plan integrates concepts from evolution and biomechanics to teach students about phylogeny, common ancestry, and homologous structures. It focuses on the pelvis as a prime example of how anatomy, often in fossil form, can teach us about evolution. This lesson plan consists of a slideshow that reviews concepts of evolution and dives into the basics of phylogenetic trees. It then tests students’ knowledge of how to read phylogenetic trees. The second part of the slideshow gives an overview of pelvic anatomy and demonstrates the importance of the pelvis to scientists in determining things such as mode of locomotion, sex, age, or stature. A classroom activity involves a worksheet in which students engage with 3D models (or images) of pelves to determine mode of locomotion in mammals and use this evidence to deduce phylogenetic relationships. An extended lecture and activity for advanced learners involves the determination of sex from the hominin pelvis, further highlighting how fossil evidence can help us understand human evolution.
Note: Students should already have a general understanding of concepts of evolution, like natural selection.
Note: Students should already have a general understanding of concepts of evolution, like natural selection.
Use the dropdown menu to navigate between the lecture, classroom activity, teacher resources, and additional resources.
This lesson plan was created through the Triangle Center for Evolutionary Medicine (TriCEM) in accordance with North Carolina Essential Standards and Next Generation Science Standards. Please direct any questions to TriCEM.