Contextualization

The Theory of Evolution, being a fundamental pillar for our understanding of life on Earth, was developed by various scientists in different times and cultures. The concepts brought by the Theory of Evolution offer explanations about the diversity of species and how these organisms have changed and adapted over thousands of years. Two notable researchers who provided substantial contributions to this theory are Jean Baptiste Lamarck and Charles Darwin.

Lamarck, an 18th-century French naturalist, was the first to present a coherent theory of evolution. According to him, the environment causes changes in animals and these modifications, according to the Law of Use and Disuse, can be passed down from generation to generation. Darwin, in turn, a 19th-century English naturalist, proposed the existence of Natural Selection, in which individuals best adapted to the environment are more likely to survive and reproduce.

In the real world, evolution has a significant impact on our lives. For example, the evolution of bacteria and viruses can drastically affect our health: organisms that evolve to resist medications are a major concern in modern medicine. Furthermore, evolution helps to understand and predict changes in the behavior of animal and plant species in response to changes in the environment, which can have significant implications for agriculture, fishing, and the management of natural resources.

To delve deeper into the subject and assist in the development of the work, we recommend the following study sources:

• Book: "On the Origin of Species" by Charles Darwin. (Available for free in the public domain)
• Video: "Lamarckism vs Darwinism" from the BioExplica channel.
• Website: Khan Academy, Evolutionary Biology section.
• Article: "What is Lamarckism and Darwinism?" on the Só Biologia website.

Practical Activity

Activity Title:

"Interactive Debate: Lamarckism vs Darwinism"

Project Objective:

This project aims to provide a better understanding of the theories of Lamarck and Darwin. Students will explore, in groups, the peculiarities of each theory, discussing their strengths and weaknesses, and their relevance in the current world.

Detailed Project Description:

The activity consists of a series of structured debates. Each group of 3 to 5 students will be divided into two sub-teams: one representing Lamarck and the other Darwin. The idea is for each sub-team to argue in favor of their assigned theory, presenting their main points and responding to the criticisms and questions from the opposing sub-team.

Each group will have one week to prepare for the debate. During this period, students will study in-depth the theories of Lamarck and Darwin, preparing to adequately defend each side.

Necessary Materials:

1. Book: "On the Origin of Species" by Charles Darwin.
2. Online resources for research.
3. Presentation materials (Slides, posters, etc. - according to what the group decides).

Detailed Step-by-Step for Activity Execution:

1. Group Formation: Divide the class into groups of 3 to 5 students each.

2. Study of Theories: Each group should study in-depth the Lamarckism and Darwinism theories. They should focus not only on the main concepts but also on the differences between the two theories and the criticisms each received.

3. Debate Preparation: Each group will be divided into two sub-teams. One sub-team will defend the Lamarck theory, and the other sub-team will defend the Darwin theory. The sub-teams must prepare solid arguments to defend their theories and respond to the criticisms from the opposing sub-team.

4. Debate Execution: Each group will hold an internal debate in which the sub-teams will present their arguments.

5. Activity Report: After the debate, each group must produce a report containing the introduction, development, conclusions, and bibliography used. The report should detail the arguments presented by both sub-teams, the points discussed during the debate, and the conclusions reached.

Project Delivery and Connection with Activities:

After the practical activity (debate), each group must write a report on the project. This report should contain the following structure and details:

1. Introduction: In this stage, students should write about the use and application of Lamarckism and Darwinism in the real world, introducing the theme and objectives of the project.

2. Development: Here, students should explain in detail the Lamarckism and Darwinism theories, the preparation for the debate, the methodology used, and the debate execution. Students should discuss the difference between the theories, the preparation process, the points of discussion, as well as the arguments presented by both sub-teams.

3. Conclusions: Students should summarize the main points of the project, the skills learned, the conclusions drawn from the debate, and the impact of their findings on the understanding of the theories.

4. Bibliography: In this section, students should specify the references used to elaborate the report and prepare for the debate.

Remember that the entire process should be carried out based on effective collaboration among group members, strengthening socio-emotional skills such as communication, problem-solving, creative thinking, time management, and proactivity.