About This Lesson
This video was conceived around the idea that students, particularly students not taking AP classes, have a practical application for knowing about the major divisions between plants, particularly about the details of plant anatomy and reproduction.
My objectives for this lesson are as follows:
- Students will be able to identify the major evolutionary innovations that separate plant divisions, and classify plants as belonging to one of those divisions based on phenotypic differences in plants.
- Students will be able to classify plants by their pollen dispersal methods using pollen dispersal mapping, and justify the location of a ‘crime scene’ using map analysis.
- Students will be able to analyze and present their analysis of banding patterns from DNA fingerprinting done using plants in a forensic context.
For the lesson, students will need to be familiar with the idea that living things are related, that these relationships are part of organisms’ evolutionary history; that there are types of plants; and that DNA can be used to establish similarities and differences between individuals and species. It will also be helpful for them to know that increased genetic diversity will increase a species’ likelihood of survival. The lesson will take approximately 135 minutes (one 90 period, one 45 minute period), with some material assigned as homework. Materials needed: Paper, writing utensils, color printing is ideal.
For more information visit: http://blossoms.mit.edu/videos/lessons/case_stolen_painting_forensic_my…
