View Bozeman science video Cause and Effect.

• How does genetic expression affect evolutionary survival?

For the next two weeks we will study evolution. First, watch What is Evolution?, which connects genetics and evolution.

Read these two articles:

• Scientists look at woolly mammoth genes to see why they died out.

• Would the de-extinction of species always turn into “Jurassic Park”?

As you read, think about what are the trade-offs in deciding to re-create an extinct species?

Read through this website about the Law of Superposition and index fossils. If you’re interested, you can watch some of the videos towards the bottom of the page.

Finally, watch this video about fossils

What did you learn this week about evolution and the fossil record?

Use this graphic organizer to share one example of cause and effect for something that you learned this week.

Ideas for optional independent investigations:

Watch:

• Where Do New Viruses Come From?, which explains Covid-19 in evolutionary terms

• Evolution 101 (5 short videos from NOVA Labs)

Materials: paper (Newspaper, junk mail, index cards, etc.) 2 feet of tape.

Challenge: Using only the materials from the list above, create a freestanding structure that is at least one foot high and can hold a small stuffed animal or toy.

Think about it:

• What are some strong shapes that you can see in bridges or towers?

• Could you combine the tape and paper to make a stronger material?

• What’s the most important use of your tape?

• After you test: If you did this again, what would you do differently?

Use the Engineering Design Process to build your structure:

• Define: What is it that needs to be accomplished?

• Brainstorm: What are your ideas for meeting the criteria of the challenge?

• Plan: Draw and discuss your design.

• Make It! and then Test It!

Improve: Make it better by repeating the Engineering Design Process again!