Human Evolution Teaching Materials Project

Resources For Teachers Who Want To Incorporate Human Evolution Into Their Science Curricula

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Module 3: Cranial Capacity

Module 3: Cranial Capacity

SLOs:

– Students will understand differences in cranial capacity (Australopithecus sediba = 420 cc, Homo sapiens = 1300 cc, Homo neanderthalensis = 1500 cc) and how it is used to deduce brain-to-body size ratio or encephalization quotient

– Students will be able to explain the social brain hypothesis (i.e. that brain size- neocortex- is important when considering social behavior/group size- neocortex = understanding what others are thinking). Consider the following line of evidence: individuals with larger brains are more successful socially à increased fitness à pass these genes off to offspring (BUT must have strong selection pressure to move population towards larger brain size)

– Students will understand Dunbar’s number (size of social network) and the costs/benefits of social living (farther to forage for food, extra energy, physiological costs vs. harder to be hunted)

Resources:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19575315

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/humans-evolved-big-brains-to-be-social-122425811/

http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-23045905

http://changingminds.org/explanations/groups/dunbars_number.htm

 

Curriculum Connections:

  • NGSS (2013)- LS4
  • AP Biology (2012-2013)- 1, 6, 15
  • IB Biology (2016)- 5

Crania to highlight: Australopithecus sediba, Homo sapiens, and Homo neanderthalensis

Teaching Materials Associated With Module 3

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