Developing an Explanation for Tuskless Elephants

A tuskless elephant.
Topic
Resource Type
Level
High School — GeneralHigh School — AP/IBCollege
Favorited By
6 Users
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

Please see the Terms of Use for information on how this resource can be used.

Version History
Date Created
Date Modified
Curriculum Connections
NGSS (2013)

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

AP Biology (2015)

1.A.1, 1.A.2; SP3, 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

Explore Related Content

Other Resources About Elephants
Showing of
Scientists at Work
The Great Elephant Census
Click & Learn
Survey Methods
Click & Learn
CSI Wildlife
Data Points
Using Genetic Evidence to Identify Ivory Poaching Hotspots
A herd of elephants, none of which have tusks
Scientists at Work
Selection for Tuskless Elephants
Click & Learn
How Animals Use Sound to Communicate
Scientists at Work
Studying Elephant Communication
Lessons
Analyzing Data on Tuskless Elephants
Other Related Resources
Showing of
Lessons
Identifying Patterns in Observations
Lessons
Reading Primary Sources: Darwin and Wallace
Lessons
The Making of a Theory: Fact or Fiction
Card Activities
Natural Selection and the Evolution of Darwin’s Finches
Screenshot of mouse fur evolution animation
Lessons
Developing an Explanation for Mouse Fur Color
Lessons
How Novel Icefish Genes Can Improve Human Health
Lessons
Using Images as Phenomena
Scientists at Work
Tracking Lion Recovery in Gorongosa National Park
Scientists at Work
Surveying Gorongosa's Biodiversity
A bee sitting on a flower.
Scientists at Work
The Effects of Fungicides on Bumble Bee Colonies