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Adding Math to Biology: Teaching the mathematical basis of evolutionary biology

The Science Teacher—April 2001

Without a mathematical understanding of evolutionary theory, we leave students defenseless against shallow arguments and pseudoscience. In this activity, students study normal variation in coral size, and to do the exercise teachers only need relatively flat chunks of fossil coral (Petoskey Stone), which are common in Midwest souvenir shops. Students will need to understand the concept of mean and standard deviation.
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