National Science Foundation
Students will learn that hybrids are not flukes—they’re commonly found in the wild and our grocery stores! By playing and reflecting on Foraging Frenzy (a research-inspired memory game) students will appreciate how climate change affects species ranges and the direction of evolution.
Students will move around, play a memory game, and have many opportunities for discussion as they explore how hybridization, evolution, and climate change are intertwined in diverse organisms.
Showcases the fun learning materials and connections to real world phenomena and research.
At the end of lesson 1, this video connects current research to students' developing understanding of hybrids and hybridization.
Trailer + explainer for the "Foraging Frenzy" memory game. First part explains the game; second part connects the game to the real world.
Supports Lesson 3 discussion and reflections focused on how L2 gameplay relates to hybridization, evolution, and climate change.
Students will be able to...
Distinguish between pure species and hybrids using scientific definitions and naming conventions.
Explore the mechanisms and conditions under which hybridization occurs between two species.
Reflect on how common hybrids are in everyday life, especially in the foods we eat and the impact on biodiversity.
Presentation (Lesson 1)
Need: WiFi, Computer, Projector, Sound
Lesson 1 Readings
For Jigsaw activity: Print class set
Teacher Worksheet (Lesson 1)
Print 1
Student Worksheet (Lesson 1)
Print 1 Per Student
15 min: Engage
Is this a hybrid?
Is this a hybrid?
To start the lesson, students will actively participate in a four-corners classroom activity where they will vote on whether a series animals are hybrids or not.
15 min: Explore
Exploring Hybrids
Exploring Hybrids
Students will gain clarity on distinguishing hybrids from species and explore five specific hybrids through a Jigsaw reading activity.
For support on implementing the Jigsaw technique, check out The Jigsaw Classroom
10 min: Elaborate
Share and Reflect
Share and Reflect
Students will listen to Dr. Scott Taylor explain key concepts such as hybrids, hybrid zones, and adaptations, using his research on chickadees as examples.
5 min: Extend
Let's Get Cooking!
Let's Get Cooking!
Hybrid species are common in plants. To extend lesson 1, ask students to brainstorm recipes using common plant species as inspiration.
Ideas and resources for deepening learning on this topic.
A useful perspective about avoiding misconceptions when defining evolution for students.
Dive deeper into the conversation around hybridization of crops and the benefits to farmers amidst climate change
Let students get lost in the complex web of species to grapple with ancestry and biodiversity
An AP-level series of videos and a written summary delving into the definition of a species, the processes of speciation, reproductive isolation, and dispersal, the difference between pre-zygotic and post-zygotic barriers, and island biogeography.
National Geographic explores how genetic studies show there’s still a lot to learn about cross-species mating in the Arctic.
Students will be able to...
Simulate natural selection and evolution by adopting the roles of chickadees with different foraging strategies, competing for resources in varying environmental settings.
Analyze how environmental factors influence the success of different species.
Collaborate to reflect on the outcomes of varying environments and explore how these results relate to concepts of evolution and hybridization.
Presentation (Lesson 2)
Need: WiFi, Computer, Projector, Sound
Teacher Worksheet (Lesson 2)
Print 1
Student Worksheet (Lesson 2)
Print 1 Per Student
Handout (Lesson 2)
Class Data Spreadsheet
Make a copy of this sheet to collect and visualize Foraging Frenzy data.
10 min: Engage
What's a chickadee?
What's a chickadee?
Start by identifying the differences between Carolina and Black-capped chickadees. Then explore how scientists are studying the behavioral differences between these two species.
25 min: Explore
Foraging Frenzy: A Natural Selection Memory Game!
Foraging Frenzy: A Natural Selection Memory Game!
Students will play a natural-selection inspired memory game in groups of 4 that puts them in a hybrid zone. They will try to forage to survive the winter in 3 environments.
Groups of 4 is the ideal size for playing Foraging Frenzy but see game instructions on how to modify for groups of 3.
5 min: Explain
Group Discussion
Group Discussion
Connect chickadee foraging in various environments to concepts of adaptation, natural selection, and human impact.
5 min: Evaluate
Check-In
Check-In
Ensure all students have collected data accurately from Foraging Frenzy and are ready to contribute to a class dataset in Lesson 3.
If time allows, peek ahead to Lesson 3 for compiling and visualizing individual group and class data.
Ideas and resources for deepening learning on this topic.
For students with an extra interest in chickadee behaviors
For students interested in chickadee alarm calls and other vocalizations, check out this set of lessons from Cornell's Lab of O.
Students will be able to...
Analyze data and construct an explanation on how traits affect survival in different environments.
Evaluate environmental effects on species success and develop game changes to better demonstrate evolution across generations.
Presentation (Lesson 3)
Need: WiFi, Computer, Projector, Sound
Teacher Worksheet (Lesson 3)
Print 1
Student Worksheet (Lesson 3)
Print 1 Per Student
Class Data Spreadsheet
Same sheet from L2 (revisit to deepen reflection on the gameplay)
5 min: Engage
Review
Review
Build on previous lesson concepts: hybrids versus species, differences among chickadee species, and the impact of different environments on species.
For guiding students in understanding graphs, check out the Identify and Interpret I2 Strategy by BSCS
15 min: Explore
Class Data
Class Data
As a class, share and compile group data from Lesson 2. Create a class dataset and graph to determine which chickadee species was most successful in each environment.
For CER scaffolding and grading rubric, check out MIT Bloosms CER Resource Sheet
5 min: Explain
Form a Conclusion
Form a Conclusion
After a data-rich discussion, students will write a CER (Claim, Evidence, Reasoning) responding to the prompt: "Is hybridization beneficial?"
15 min: Elaborate
Video Guided Discussion
Video Guided Discussion
Guided by researchers featured in a video, students will participate in a discussion to deepen their understanding of hybridization and evolution.
5 min: Evaluate
Reflection
Reflection
Putting it all together, students will reflect on key concepts of evolution.
Ideas and resources for deepening learning on this topic.
Ensure students understand the process of evolution and clear up common misconceptions.
Have students review the process of adaptation through natural selection with this engaging activity. Students play the roles of predators with different feeding appendages and compete to gather beans as prey, and track the changing frequencies of each appendage type over multiple generations.
A video, virtual lab, and three activities synthesizing concepts of natural selection and speciation using research on Carribean anole lizards. Students analyze data about the effects of natural selection in different contexts, construct phylogenetic trees, and test hypotheses about evolution and species distribution.
HybridZones_Assessment
Digital form for pre/post test assessment. See printable teacher version for evaluation guidance.
HybridZones_Pre-Post Assessment (TEACHER KEY)
Printable assessment
HybridZones_Pre-Post Assessment (STUDENT)
Printable assessment
In each lesson, students learn about evolution and hybridization directly from scientists in a series of engaging videos. Then after playing a game simulating chickadee foraging habits, students will use their own data to draw conclusions about the success of different foraging strategies in different environments, participating in the same types of critical thinking scientists use to explore this still-ongoing research question.
Dr. Scott Taylor, Dr. Amber Rice, and Dr. Tim Roth study hybridization between closely related birds to better understand why two species remain distinct despite widespread interbreeding. We are specifically interested in how hybridization might result in strong selection against individuals who do not have the same spatial memory as others, which might lead to mortality during the winter for the small non-migratory birds that we work on.
Dimension: Language, Speaking & Listening
Students engage in collaborative discussions, sharing and building on ideas about evolution and hybridization.
Dimension: Performance Expectation
Students evaluate evidence from simulations to understand how environmental changes affect species success and evolution.
Students construct explanations about how these factors drive evolution, using evidence from their chickadee simulations.
Dimension: Social Awareness & Relationships
Students interact positively during simulations and discussions, enhancing their understanding of hybridization and evolution.
Dimension: Reading
Students use multiple sources to understand hybridization and resolve any conflicting information about species and hybrids.
Dimension: Writing
Students use texts to analyze and reflect on the mechanisms and conditions of hybridization between two species.
Dimension: Language, Speaking & Listening
Students present their findings on how traits affect survival in different environments, ensuring clarity and logical flow.
Dimension: Science & Engineering Practices
Students observe different organisms and ask questions to distinguish between pure species and hybrids.
Students examine models of species and hybrids to clarify definitions and ask further questions about their characteristics.
Students use scientific reasoning to link evidence to claims about natural selection and evolution during simulations.
Students construct arguments using data from their simulations and observations to explain the success of different chickadees.
Students defend their claims about chickadee success in different environments using evidence from their simulations.
Students use charts and graphs to analyze data and explain how traits affect survival in different environments.
Students construct and revise explanations on species success and evolution using reliable evidence from various sources.
Dimension: Disciplinary Core ideas
Students explore genetic and trait variations to understand the conditions necessary for natural selection and hybridization.
Students reflect on how hybrids with beneficial traits become more common in everyday life, especially in foods we eat.
Students simulate these factors by adopting different chickadee foraging strategies to understand their role in evolution.
Students analyze how environmental factors influence species' success, leading to adaptation through natural selection.
Students explore how changing environments lead to trait distribution changes and adaptation in chickadee populations.
Students analyze how environmental changes have historically led to species expansion, new species, and extinctions.
Students evaluate environmental effects on species success and discuss how failure to adapt can lead to extinction.
Students evaluate how human activities impact biodiversity in various environments.
Dimension: Planet
Students discuss the role of hybridization in biodiversity and ecosystem sustainability.
Dimension: Peace and Prosperity
The lesson promotes inclusive education by encouraging collaboration among students of diverse backgrounds and abilities.
Dimension: Self Awareness & Self Management
Students demonstrate integrity by accurately reporting their simulation results and respecting differing viewpoints.
Dimension: Social Awareness & Relationships
Students work in diverse groups to explore outcomes of varying environments and relate them to evolution concepts.
Students resolve conflicts during group activities by focusing on scientific evidence and respectful dialogue.
Students recognize when they need help understanding data or concepts and seek support from peers or teachers.
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Matt Wilkins: Led the project, spearheaded all curricular materials, and produced videos
Ella Houlihan: Co-developed all curricular materials, produced videos
Stephanie Rapciak: Assisted conceptualization and development of learning materials, produced videos
Dri Tattersfield: Assisted conceptualization and development of learning materials, produced videos
Katie Capp, PhD: Helped align to standards and finalize all materials
Stephanie Castillo: Produced and edited all videos
Amber Rice, PhD: Defined outreach goals, ensured scientific accuracy, and secured funding for the project; produced and featured in videos
Tim Roth, PhD: Defined outreach goals, ensured scientific accuracy, and secured funding for the project; produced and featured in videos
Scott Taylor, PhD: Defined outreach goals, ensured scientific accuracy, and secured funding for the project; produced and featured in videos
Provided maps of hybrid zones for videos and lessons
Helped create Foraging Frenzy game
Created original artwork for banner, video, and other lesson materials
February 17, 2024
July 2, 2024
July 29, 2024
August 29, 2024