Developing an Explanation for Tuskless Elephants

A tuskless elephant.
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Resource Type
Level
High School — GeneralHigh School — AP/IBCollege
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Description

This activity builds on information presented in the video Selection for Tuskless Elephants. Students use scientific evidence and reasoning to construct an explanation of and develop an argument for tusklessness in elephant populations.

In this activity, students complete three tasks: 1) interpret and collect information presented through readings and watching a video; 2) use the information collected to construct an explanation for the high incidence of tusklessness in the Gorongosa elephant population; and 3) develop an argument for or against a trend toward increased incidence of tusklessness in the future.

Student Learning Targets

  • Use scientific observations to explain how a population changes over time due to human impacts.

  • Explain how the selective pressures on a population may impact the frequencies of phenotypes in a population.

  • Propose a claim supported by scientific evidence to explain an observation.

  • Provide evidence-based reasoning to make a scientific argument.

Details
Estimated Time
Two 50-minute class periods.
Key Terms

adaptation, claim, evidence, inheritance, poaching, population, reasoning, selection, selective pressure, variation

Terms of Use

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Version History
Date Published
Date Updated
Curriculum Connections
NGSS (2013)

HS-LS4-2, HS-LS4-3, HS-LS4-4, HS-LS4-5; SEP1, SEP4, SEP6

AP Biology (2019)

EVO-1.E, EVO-1.G, SYI-2.B, SYI-3.D; SP3, SP4, SP5, SP6

IB Biology (2016)

5.2

AP Environmental Science (2013)

II.C, VII.C

IB Environmental Systems and Societies (2017)

3.2, 3.4

Common Core (2010)

ELA.RST.9–12.4, ELA.RST.9–12.7, ELA.WHST.9-12.1
Math.N-Q.1; MP2

Vision and Change (2009)

CC1, CC5; DP1

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