If you’re interested in learning more about cutting-edge research in molecular evolution, or helping your students understand how molecular approaches are revolutionizing our understanding of familiar examples of evolution, check out the talks from the NESCent/AIBS Evolution Symposium held at the 2010 NABT (National Association of Biology Teachers) conference in Minneapolis in November, 2010. Four leading researchers in molecular evolution shared their work with a packed house of high school and college biology instructors, and the videos of these talks can be found at https://www.nescent.org/media/NABTSymposium2010.php.
Watch video presentations about research on the toxin arms race between newts and garter snakes, insights on the value of studies in viral evolution, the underlying molecular mechanisms of coat color in beach mice, and Drosophila wing coloration.
Molecular evolution can be challenging for students, but a better understanding of the “genotype to phenotype” relationship can help address a number of common misconceptions about evolutionary concepts. In a companion website to the one listed above, you’ll find a collection of free teaching resources, activities, papers, short videos and other ideas: (http://www.nescent.org/media/NABT2010/index.html).
For example, here are two lab activities you can use with your students:
· A classroom activity by Dr. Jim Smith (Michigan State University) to help students understand the underlying molecular mechanisms resulting in round or wrinkled peas.
· A free computer simulation by Dr. Brian White (University of Massachusetts) that demonstrates the relationship between genetics, molecular biology, biochemistry and evolution.
To access both of these resources and more, go to: Molecular Insights: Labs and Tools, part of the collection of educational resources compiled by NESCent for the 2010 Evolution Teaching Workshop at NABT.