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The Tactile Clade Race

Author(s): Andrew Osborne Hasley1, J. Phil Gibson2, Kristin Jenkins3

1. North Carolina State University Biotechnology Program 2. University of Oklahoma 3. BioQUEST

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Summary:
This adaptation of the Vertebrate Clade Race provides a tactile approach to introduce basic tree reading skills for evolutionary phylogenies. Using a Universal Design for Learning informed approach, the variation makes the activity accessible for…

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This adaptation of the Vertebrate Clade Race provides a tactile approach to introduce basic tree reading skills for evolutionary phylogenies. Using a Universal Design for Learning informed approach, the variation makes the activity accessible for students who are blind or low-vision and streamlines the activity for all students, while retaining the original learning goals. After completing this group activity, students should be familiar with basic terminology and how to "read" a phylogenetic tree.

Licensed under CC Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International according to these terms

Version 1.0 - published on 12 Dec 2022 doi:10.25334/GKD6-QN27 - cite this

Adapted from: Vertebrate Clade Race v 1.0

Keywords

  1. phylogenetics
  2. evolutionary biology
  3. tree reading
  4. vertebrates
  5. accessibility for students with disabilities or impairments
  6. visual impairment

Alignments

  1. Resource Type
  2. Audience Level
  3. Activity Length
  4. Inclusive Pedagogy for Life Science Education
  5. QUBES Universal Design Tagging Ontology
  6. Open Science and Education Practices Ontology
Contents:
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Description

Reading phylogenies is a cognitively challenging task. This activity helps students overcome common misconceptions, allowing them to use phylogenies to understand evolutionary relationships as scientists do.  In this activity students map a basic phylogeny and then explore the evolutionary concepts represented by the map. This activity is a variation on an activity by Baum and Jenkins which was itself a variation of The Great Clade Race (Goldsmith, 2001). 

Level:
This activity is appropriate for students from third grade through college.  The follow up discussion will vary based on the level.

Time:
The activity should take about 30-45 minutes for the introduction and time for students to map the race working in teams of three.  An additional 15 minutes of discussion time around the maps allows students to explore the evolutionary concepts behind the map and practice their tree reading skills.

Materials:

One copy of the student directions per student or per team.

One set of markers on rings and one set of runners’ rings per team.  

Per set:

  • 14 rings
  • 14 badge clips
  • 1 alligator clip
  • Contrasting yarn (six pieces approximately 18 inches long each)
  • Dark square of felt (approximately 3X3)
  • 2 pieces of sponge
  • 2 rubber gaskets
  • 2 die
  • 3 buttons
  • 6 wooden beads
  • 6 wingnuts
  • 4 pieces of pipe

Or use the 3D printing code file to print tokens 

Relevant Files: 

  • Tactile clade race teacher guide
  • Tactile Clade Race student handout
  • Tactile Race 3D Tokens (zip folder)

 

Notes

This variation was developed by A.O. Hasley, J. P. Gibson and K.P. Jenkins to provide accessibility for students who are blind or have low-vision.  It is a variation of the Vertebrate Clade Race, which is based on an activity by D. Goldsmith (ABT, 2001).  The original Great Clade Race has students reconstruct a race course using stamped runners cards.  The Vertebrate Clade Race adds a second step in which students replace the symbols and runners with actual vertebrate traits and common animals.  The Tactile Clade Race replaces drawing the "map"/phylogeny with yarn and tokens that can be distinguished by touch.  The Tactile Clade Race streamlines the activity for all students as well as providing additional access.  

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