For thousands of years, people have been thinking about the question, “Where did we come from?” Each culture has answered the question in its own way, with its own origin story. The scientific community has added its own answer, its own origin story, evolution.
Blueprint and Timeline
Driving Question:
How is the theory of evolution similar to, and different from, origin stories of other cultures?
Learning Objectives:
Skills:
How is the theory of evolution similar to, and different from, origin stories of other cultures?
Learning Objectives:
Skills:
- Flexible Thinking
- Analysis and Synthesis
- Oral Presentation
- Collaboration
- Bio.3.4.2 Explain how natural selection influences the changes in species over time.
- Bio.2.1.2 Analyze the survival and reproductive success of organisms in terms of behavioral, structural, and reproductive adaptations.
- Bio.3.4.3 Explain how various disease agents (bacteria, viruses, chemicals) can influence natural selection
- Bio.3.4.1 Explain how fossil, biochemical, and anatomical evidence support the theory of evolution.
- Bio.3.5.1 Explain the historical development and changing nature of classification systems.
- Bio.3.5.2 Analyze the classification of organisms according to their evolutionary relationships (including dichotomous keys and phylogenetic trees).
Cultural Exploration
In order to begin thinking about evolution and origin stories, we will explore a website called Big Myth. This site offers short videos explaining origin stories from cultures around the world. We will view a select few in class, but you are encouraged to spend more time on your own exploring the site before you choose the cultures you are interested in researching.
Where Did We Come From Presentation
Your task for this unit is to select three origin stories (evolution, plus two more of your choice) and create a presentation that compares and contrasts them. (Note: You will not be arguing for one story over another.)
For each story, you should include the following:
Beyond simply stating the information listed above, you must also highlight the similarities and differences between the stories, and draw an overall conclusion about the relationship between the three stories.
For each story, you should include the following:
- The origin of the story (Who first told this story? When? Is it in a written text?)
- The driving force behind the change
- The process of change described in the story
- The evidence / justification / authority used as the basis for belief in the story.
- The implications this story has for how we classify living things today.
Beyond simply stating the information listed above, you must also highlight the similarities and differences between the stories, and draw an overall conclusion about the relationship between the three stories.