Year 10 Science · Unit 1 · Lesson 18

Investigating Genetics and Evolution

Challenge Worksheet

Name

Date

Class

Learning Goals

Evaluate whether Wikipedia is an appropriate source for a scientific investigation.
Identify the specific problems with using non-peer-reviewed sources as evidence.
Describe what a reliable source for an evolution investigation would look like.

Go Deeper

Evaluate the claim

A student writes in their investigation report...

"According to a Wikipedia article (last edited by 'GenericUser42' in 2021), humans share 98.8% of their DNA with chimpanzees. This proves that humans and chimps are closely related and that evolution is correct. I used Wikipedia because it is easy to understand and available for free. This is a valid scientific source because it links to other websites and has references listed at the bottom."

(a) What part of the student's claim is scientifically correct? Is the 98.8% figure accurate?

Challenge 1 mark

(b) What is misleading or wrong about the student's reasoning for why Wikipedia is "a valid scientific source"? Give at least two specific criticisms.

Challenge 2 marks

(c) Name a better source the student should have used instead, and explain what specific information that source would provide.

Challenge 2 marks

Show What You Know

1. A student investigating fossil evidence for evolution finds a 2005 news article from a newspaper that says "scientists discover missing link fossil." Describe what steps the student should take to verify this information before using it in their investigation.

Challenge 3 marks

2. When designing a depth study on "How does antibiotic use drive resistance evolution in Australia?", list three types of data you would need and identify a credible Australian source for each.

Challenge 3 marks

Wrap Up

In one sentence, what was the main idea of this lesson?