The goal of this assignment is to develop a logical, well-supported hypothesis about how and when flight evolved in the dinosaur lineage.

 

Follow the instructions on the screen at left.

Click on the "view table" button to view the table any time.

 

Step 1:

With a team, look at the table and brainstorm about what the data suggest about how and when flight evolved in the dinosaur lineage. Make sure that you consider the following:

• Which features are associated with flight? Which are absolutely essential for flight?
• When did each of these features first appear in the fossil record?
• Did these features evolve for flight or did they originally serve other functions?
• What was "necessary" for flight to evolve?

Step 2:

Based on the evidence at hand, develop a hypothesis about the evolution of flight. If possible, this hypothesis should describe both the "how" and the "when."

Step 3:

Make sure that your hypothesis is well supported.

• Consider all of the information in the table.
• Use direct evidence to support inferences.
• Suggest other evidence you could look for to support your hypothesis.
• Suggest other evidence you could look for to disprove your hypothesis.

Step 4:

Present your hypothesis to your colleagues for review.

Good work!

Ask your teacher which option to choose from the signal at left.