Seven Skeletons and a Mystery

By Clyde Freeman Herreid

Abstract

This problem-based learning case uses Archaeopteryx, the most famous fossil in the world, to show the vital role that fossils play in understanding evolutionary history and to explore the different theories for the origin of flight and the debate over a bird-dinosaur connection. The case was designed for an introductory biology course where the focus is on evolution. It would also be appropriate for classes in geology.

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Date Posted

09/30/1999

Overview

Objectives

To show the vital role that fossils play in understanding evolutionary history.
To highlight the evolution vs. creationist controversy over "transitional species."
To consider how fossils are formed, discovered, and dated.
To understand some of the difficulties in interpreting a phylogeny with major gaps in the fossil record.
To learn some vertebrate anatomy and understand its role in determining function.
To examine the evidence for the evolution of flight.
To examine the evidence for the relationship between reptiles and birds, especially the hypotheses that dinosaurs are ancestral to birds.
To consider the possible consequences of an ethical dilemma.

Keywords

Archaeopteryx; evolution; fossil; flight; transitional species; birds; dinosaurs; John Ostrom; Teyler Museum

Subject Headings

Evolutionary Biology

Geology

Paleontology

EDUCATIONAL LEVEL

High school, Undergraduate lower division

FORMAT

PDF

TOPICAL AREAS

Ethics, History of science

LANGUAGE

English

TYPE/METHODS

Dilemma/Decision, Problem-Based Learning

Teaching Notes & Answer Key

Teaching Notes

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Answer Key

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