This activity lets learners participate in the process of reconstructing a phylogenetic tree and introduces them to several core bioinformatics concepts, particularly in relation to evolution. Groups of learners (at least 10) repeat a secret message (five to seven similar-sounding words) like the game "Telephone". In this version of the game, however, learners write and then code what they hear, creating a model of a phylogenetic tree and using a species distance matrix. This resource includes background information about phylogenetic trees, maximum parsimony, and matrix theory (see page 6-7 of PDF).
- Subject:
- Computer Science
- Engineering
- Information Science
- Education
- Life Science
- Mathematics
- Anthropology
- Material Type:
- Activity/Lab
- Game
- Lesson Plan
- Provider:
- Computer Science Unplugged
- Science and Math Informal Learning Educators (SMILE)
- Provider Set:
- Computer Science Unplugged
- SMILE Pathway: Science and Math Activities in One Search
- Author:
- Brian Mason Scientific and Technical Trust
- Computer Science Unplugged
- Google Inc.
- Jim Becker
- Katrin Becker
- Truman State University
- Date Added:
- 01/02/2005
