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Evolutionary Anatomy Through Dissection
Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
This course aims to deepen students’ understanding of evolutionary biology through comparative anatomy and fossil analysis. By dissecting representative specimens and comparing living organisms with fossil remains, students will examine anatomical adaptations and trace the evolution of key traits. They will evaluate how natural selection drives species diversification and analyze how evolutionary processes are reflected in modern species. Laboratory work focuses on proper specimen handling and evidence-based interpretation of evolutionary patterns—a scientific process of reconstructing the past from present evidence.
Course Duration
Course Duration
This is an 18-week course that includes 67.5 total contact hours (5 lessons/week × 45 minutes/lesson):
Instruction 60% (~3 lessons/week), 40.5 hours
Lab 30% (~1.5 lessons/week), 20.25 hours
Assessment 10% (~0.5 lessons/week), 6.75 hours
Target Audience
Target Audience
This elective is designed for high school juniors and seniors who:
Have successfully completed a foundational biology course with basic knowledge of genetics, anatomy, and ecology.
Demonstrate a strong interest in evolution, paleontology, or environmental science.
Are comfortable handling biological specimens and thrive in hands-on labs.
May pursue university majors in:
Life Sciences (e.g., biology, zoology)
Health Professions (e.g., pre-med, veterinary science)
Environmental Sciences (e.g., paleontology, conservation biology)
Curriculum Outline (Weekly Topics)
Curriculum Outline (Weekly Topics)
Week 1 Sponge Porifera
Week 1 Sponge Porifera
Ediacaran (~600 mya)
Ediacaran (~600 mya)
Traits:
Multicellularity
Extracellular Matrix
Simple Immune Responses
Fossils:
Week 2 Jellyfish Cnidaria
Week 2 Jellyfish Cnidaria
Cambrian (~550 mya)
Cambrian (~550 mya)
Traits:
Radial Symmetry
Nerve Nets
Stinging Cells
Fossils:
Week 3 Earthworm Annelida
Week 3 Earthworm Annelida
Cambrian (~520 mya)
Cambrian (~520 mya)
Traits:
Segmentation
Coelom
Bilateral Symmetry
Fossils:
Week 4 Clam Mollusca
Week 4 Clam Mollusca
Cambrian (~500 mya)
Cambrian (~500 mya)
Traits:
Filter-Feeding Adaptations
Bivalve Shell
Sedentary Lifestyle
Week 5 Starfish Echinodermata
Week 5 Starfish Echinodermata
Ordovician (~450 mya)
Ordovician (~450 mya)
Traits:
Water Vascular System
Pentaradial Symmetry
Regeneration
Week 6 Lamprey Chordata
Week 6 Lamprey Chordata
Silurian (~420 mya)
Silurian (~420 mya)
Traits:
Vertebral Structure
Parasitic Suction
Simple Brain & Eyes
Week 7 Shark Chondrichthyes
Week 7 Shark Chondrichthyes
Devonian (~400 mya)
Devonian (~400 mya)
Traits:
Cartilaginous Skeleton
Jaw Development
Tooth-Like Scales
Week 8 Perch Osteichthyes
Week 8 Perch Osteichthyes
Devonian (~380 mya)
Devonian (~380 mya)
Traits:
Hard bone
Swim Bladder
Operculum
Week 9 Frog Amphibia
Week 9 Frog Amphibia
Devonian (~360 mya)
Devonian (~360 mya)
Traits:
Moist, Permeable Skin
Dual Respiratory Systems
Three-Chambered Heart
Week 10 Squid Cephalopoda
Week 10 Squid Cephalopoda
Devonian (~350 mya)
Devonian (~350 mya)
Traits:
Complex Camera Eyes
Jet Propulsion
Chromatophores
Week 11 Crayfish Crustacea
Week 11 Crayfish Crustacea
Carboniferous (~350 mya)
Carboniferous (~350 mya)
Traits:
Exoskeleton
Jointed Limbs
Gills Under Carapace
Week 12 Grasshopper Insecta
Week 12 Grasshopper Insecta
Carboniferous (~300 mya)
Carboniferous (~300 mya)
Traits:
Metamorphosis
Tracheal System
Compound Eyes
Week 13 Lizard Reptilia
Week 13 Lizard Reptilia
Permian (~280 mya)
Permian (~280 mya)
Traits:
Scaly Skin
Amniotic Eggs
Lungs
Week 14 Turtle Reptilia
Week 14 Turtle Reptilia
Triassic (~220 mya)
Triassic (~220 mya)
Traits:
Bony Shell
Keratinized Beak
Limb Girdles Inside Ribcage
Week 15 Snake Reptilia
Week 15 Snake Reptilia
Jurassic (~150 mya)
Jurassic (~150 mya)
Traits:
Limb Reduction
Flexible Jaws
Forked Tongue + Jacobson’s Organ
Week 16 Pigeon Aves
Week 16 Pigeon Aves
Cretaceous (~120 mya)
Cretaceous (~120 mya)
Traits:
Feathers
Hollow Bones
Keeled Sternum
Week 17 Rat Mammalia
Week 17 Rat Mammalia
Paleogene (~60 mya)
Paleogene (~60 mya)
Traits:
Hair/Fur
Mammary Glands
Diaphragm
Week 18 Final Project
Week 18 Final Project
Animal Tree of Life
Animal Tree of Life
Assessment & Grading Criteria
Assessment & Grading Criteria
Scientific Notebook (20%)
Organization (5%): Table of Contents, dated pages, clear lesson titles
Content Accuracy (10%): Key terms, evolutionary concepts, labeled diagrams
Reflection (5%): Weekly 100-word summaries linking experiments to theory
Laboratory Performance (30%)
Dissection Technique (15%): Safety, precision, and ethical specimen handling.
Lab Report (15%): Hypothesis, measurement data, annotated sketch, and conclusion.
Quizzes and Exams (40%)
Weekly Quizzes (20%): Terminology and basic concepts.
Final Exam (20%): Analysis of the fossil record and explanations of evolutionary mechanisms.
Phylogenetic Tree Project (10%)
Include 3+ dissected species, integrate fossil evidence, and an infographic presentation
Safety & Ethical Considerations
Safety & Ethical Considerations
Specimen: Purchased from certified biological suppliers that meet humane euthanasia standards (e.g., Biology Products)
Personal protective equipment (PPE): Nitrile gloves, lab aprons, and goggles are worn for all dissections.
Tool handling: Dissection tools are used appropriately, and sharps disposal containers are provided.
Ventilation: Dissections are performed in a well-ventilated space; preserved specimens are rinsed to reduce formaldehyde exposure.
Spectator policy: It is not mandatory for each student to physically touch the specimens; students can choose to observe.
Emotional support: Discuss the proper attitude toward specimens during the first week of the course and provide a corner in the classroom for emotional retreat.
Environmental responsibility: Specimens/tools are handled according to biomedical waste disposal protocols; reusable tools are sterilized (70% ethanol).
Cost reduction: High-cost specimens (e.g., turtles, lampreys) can be shared collectively.
Alignment with NGSS High School Standards
Alignment with NGSS High School Standards
HS-LS4-1. Communicate scientific information that common ancestry and biological evolution are supported by multiple lines of empirical evidence.
HS-LS4-2. Construct an explanation based on evidence that the process of evolution primarily results from four factors.
HS-LS4-3. Apply concepts of statistics and probability to support explanations that organisms with an advantageous heritable trait tend to increase in proportion to organisms lacking this trait.
HS-LS4-4. Construct an explanation based on evidence for how natural selection leads to adaptation of populations.
HS-ESS2-7. Construct an argument based on evidence about the simultaneous coevolution of Earth’s systems and life on Earth.
Science & Engineering Practices
Analyzing Data
Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions
Engaging in Argument from Evidence
Disciplinary Core Ideas
LS4.A: Evidence of Common Ancestry and Diversity
LS4.B: Natural Selection
LS4.C: Adaptation
Crosscutting Concepts
Patterns
Cause and Effect
Stability and Change
Reference
Reference
Prothero, D. R. (2013). Bringing fossils to life: An introduction to paleobiology (3rd ed.). Columbia University Press.
Biology Products Company. (2025). Biology products for education and research. https://www.biologyproducts.com
Troll, R. (1992). Tree of life fine art. TrollArt. https://www.trollart.com/product/tree-of-life-art-poster/
Encyclopædia Britannica.(2025, March 27). Geologic time. https://www.britannica.com/science/geologic-time
Lee’s Summit High School. (2024). Lee’s summit high school student handbook 2024-2025. Lee’s Summit R-7 School District. https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1733927539/lsr7org/my3v9ykuqhw4gdwy0mzc/LSHSStudentHandbook24-25.pdf
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