BSCS | Curriculum Development | Taxonomy, Development Biology

Curriculum Development > High School 9-12 > Other Supplemental Programs > Taxonomy, Development Biology

Taxonomy, Developmental Biology

CDROM Set 2003 BSCS

Two high school curriculum supplements, one on taxonomy and one on developmental biology are available as a set from BSCS.

Climbing the Tree of Life: Taxonomy and Phylogeny for High School biology takes advantage of student' interest in biodiversity and concern about its decline to introduce concepts of taxonomy and phylogeny, the nature and methods of science, and the personal and social relevance of science. Features include interactive, inquiry-oriented activities with videos, animations, simulations, and printable documents; off-computer research; individual and collaborative learning; and a teacher's implementation guide.

Developmental Biology highlights mechanisms of development, the role of genes in development, development and evolution, and applications of development. Features include animations and interactive simulations; an annotated instructor's guide; instructor's background material in developmental biology; and student laboratory investigations.

The CDROM contains six inquiry-oriented learning activities, each with a different theme:

Detecting biodiversity
Discovering and classifying life
Assessing biodiversity
Investigating evolutionary relationships
Using taxonomy to solve practical problems
Understanding extinction

The activities are linked by a unifying story line but can be taught separately. Each activity immerses students in a virtual investigation that is complemented by off-computer tasks. The interactive software features videos, animations, database searches, simluated laboratory experiments, Web browsing, and printable reference materials.