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Table 1 Knowledge and skill objectives emphasized throughout the tested curricula

From: Design-based learning for a sustainable future: student outcomes resulting from a biomimicry curriculum in an evolution course

Knowledge Objectives

Students will be able to…

Skill Objectives

Students will be able to…

Both Sections

Both Sections

Explain that the functions and properties of organisms are determined by their structures

Explain that adaptation through natural selection accounts for the appearance of “design” in nature and is subject to constraints

Describe how multiple aspects of a structure relate to organismal survival through various functions

Explain how phenotypic variation is influenced by genes and environment and that this is necessary for evolution

Develop multiple testable hypotheses and predictions based on evidence

Use quantitative thinking to adopt reasonable objective criteria for choosing among rival claims

Construct explanations and arguments based on interpretations of data

Read and investigate the primary literature for evidence-based information

DBL section

DBL section

Compare species’ S-F properties and evolutionary mechanisms that shape natural S-F relationships to human designs and the human design process

Apply species’ S-F relationships toward solving problems in human sustainable design

Comparison section

Comparison section

Compare homologous S-F properties of species to inform the dependence of function on structure

Apply comparative analysis techniques to infer functional properties of species’ structures