Unit Overview
How have our environments and culture changed over time? How have these changes impacted our health?
For the vast majority of human history, humans lived in small, primarily nomadic groups of hunter-gatherers. Human physiology and behavior is well adapted to our prehistoric lifestyle. Since the agricultural and industrial revolutions, humans have manipulated their environments, resulting in rapid changes in society. This rapid change has contributed to many of the chronic health concerns modern people face. In this unit, students will explore the possible ‘mismatch’ between human bodies and modern environments by investigating phenomena at the protein level.
Performance Expectations:
HS-LS1-1, HS-LS3-1, HS-ETS1-2, HS-ETS1-3, HS-LS4-1
This unit was reviewed by the EQuIP Peer Review Panel for Science. It was rated as an “Example of High Quality NGSS Design if Improved.” Minor edits have been made since this review to incorporate the feedback provided and add samples of student work.
Unit Storyline
Unit Opening
How have our environments and cultures changed over time? How have these changes impacted our health?
Lactase Persistence
Why are some people able to digest dairy into adulthood but others cannot?
Leptin Resistance
Why is obesity increasing globally? Why do some people gain weight easily but others do not?
Circadian Rhythms
Why do virtually all organisms have a day-night cycle? How might disruptions or environmental changes in the day-night cycle impact our health?
Common Ancestry
Why aren’t we just evolving to address mismatch problems?
Unit Closing
How can we design a healthy school in terms of reducing mismatches between our bodies and our environment?
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Assessment
Formative and Summative Assessment
In addition to the unit Performance Task, this unit includes a mid-unit formative task and an end-of-unit transfer task, both designed to serve as individual assessments that are part of a broader assessment system. The Performance Task Organizer and End of Unit Transfer Task complement each other, and by using a combination of each, teachers will assess each PE covered by each unit.
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Essential Documents
A collection of printable materials required for activities, rubrics, and work samples for the unit.