Evolution education poses unique challenges because students can have preconceptions that bias their learning. Hands-on, inquiry approaches can help overcome preset beliefs held by students, but few such programs exist and teachers typically lack access to these resources. Experiential learning in the form of self-guided kits can allow evolution education programs to maximize their reach while still maintaining a high-quality resource. We created an inquiry-based kit that uses live Trinidadian guppies to teach evolution by natural selection using the VIST (Variation, Inheritance, Selection, Time) framework. Our collaborative team included evolutionary biologists and education specialists, and we were able to combine expertise in evolution research and inquiry-based kit design in the development of this program. By constructing the kits with grant funds slated for broader impacts and maintaining them at our university's Education and Outreach Center, we made these kits freely available to local schools over the long term. Students and teachers have praised how clearly the kits teach evolution by natural selection, and we are excited to share this resource with readers of The American Biology Teacher.
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February 2018
Research Article|
February 01 2018
Small Fish, Big Questions: Inquiry Kits for Teaching Evolution
Emily A. Kane,
Emily A. Kane
7EMILY A. KANE is an Assistant Professor at Georgia Southern University, PO Box 8042-1, Statesboro, GA 30460; e-mail: (ekane@georgiasouthern.edu)
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E. Dale Broder,
E. Dale Broder
6E. DALE BRODER is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Denver, 2199 S University Blvd, Denver, CO 80208; e-mail: (edalebroder@gmail.com)
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Andrew C. Warnock,
Andrew C. Warnock
5ANDREW C. WARNOCK is the Director of the College of Natural Sciences Education & Outreach Center at Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523; e-mail: (andrew.warnock@colostate.edu)
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Courtney M. Butler,
Courtney M. Butler
4COURTNEY BUTLER is Assistant Director of the CNS Education & Outreach Center at Colorado State University, Campus Delivery 1802, Fort Collins, CO 80523; e-mail: (courtney.butler@colostate.edu)
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A. Lynne Judish,
A. Lynne Judish
3A. LYNNE JUDISH is the Lab Coordinator for the CNS Education & Outreach Center at Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523; e-mail: (Lynne.Judish@colostate.edu)
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Lisa M. Angeloni,
Lisa M. Angeloni
2LISA ANGELONI is an Associate Professor at Colorado State University, 1878 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO 80523; e-mail: (angeloni@colostate.edu)
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Cameron K. Ghalambor
Cameron K. Ghalambor
1CAMERON K. GHALAMBOR is a Professor at Colorado State University, Department of Biology, Fort Collins, CO 80523; e-mail: (cameron1@colostate.edu)
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The American Biology Teacher (2018) 80 (2): 124–131.
Citation
Emily A. Kane, E. Dale Broder, Andrew C. Warnock, Courtney M. Butler, A. Lynne Judish, Lisa M. Angeloni, Cameron K. Ghalambor; Small Fish, Big Questions: Inquiry Kits for Teaching Evolution. The American Biology Teacher 1 February 2018; 80 (2): 124–131. doi: https://doi.org/10.1525/abt.2018.80.2.124
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