High school students, as scientists, investigate places that have or are experiencing environmental changes to see how organisms are being affected by these changes. Students research which physiological strategies and traits are helping an organism survive and reproduce in the changed environment. Students evaluate if these physiological strategies or traits have genetic mechanisms involved, and model how evolution by natural selection might change the population over time. Students then create a DIY Exhibit that will be shared with their community. Students use information from their models, articles, and other work from previous lessons to develop possible explanations and use it to talk about the role humans can play in protecting different nonhuman populations. Students receive peer feedback and revise their exhibits for public exhibition.

This is Lesson 8 of the High Altitude Living Unit.

Click the Download PDF button above for the complete Lesson Plan.

Student Materials

Per Student

• NIH EV Handout 8.1 Species Affected by Changes in the Environment
• Tablet or computer for research and creation of exhibit materials 

Per Small Group (2 to 4 students)

• NIH EV Handout 8.2 Evolution Genome DIY Project Organizer

Teacher Materials

• Lesson 8 Slide Deck
• Smithsonian Natural Museum of Natural History: Genome DIY Exhibit
• Smithsonian Natural Museum of Natural History: DIY Exhibit Terms of Use
• Smithsonian Natural Museum of Natural History: Genome Resource Guide
• NIH EV Handout 8.3 Evolution DIY Exhibit Rubric