This lesson will provide the students with an early introduction to dissecting stereo microscopes while they observe a series of small insects that can be found on land and in water. Through their observation and outside research, the students will make connections to the insects and any evolutionary tracts that are between the dry and water insects.
NYS Curriculum & Standards:
• Performance indicator 3.1 – Explain the mechanisms and patterns of evolution.
o 3.1h – The variation of organisms within a species increases the likelihood that at least some members of the species will survive under changed environmental conditions.
Materials/Equipment Needed:
Dissecting stereo microscopes for every 2 students, various insects from land and water, dishes/bowls for insects, textbooks or reference guide, computers.
Activities and procedures:
Introduction to lab (5 minutes)
Group work: each student will pair up and work together and go around to each station that has a dissecting stereo microscope around the classroom and identify the different sampling of insects and work to make connections to each of the other insects using different resources and references. (25-30 minutes)
Wrap-up: see what students thought and what they came up with so far. (Remaining time)
Method of evaluation: Student participation, how well they connect the insects, have an idea of evolutionary tracts and how to use the stereo microscopes properly.
Outside resources:
http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn3269
http://www.usu.edu/buglab/aqent5550/Readings/AnnReview%20Entomology%
20Ward%20and%20Stanford%201982%20Thermal%20evolution.pdf
http://www.olympusmicro.com/galleries/abramowitz/pages/waterfleasmall.html
http://www.sustainer.org/dhm_archive/search.php?display_article=vn745resistanceed