Source of Article: http://www.scientificamerican.com/podcast/episode/kids-learn-natural-selection/
(Name of newspaper, magazine, journal, website) Author: Karen Hopkin Date of Publication: 03/31/14 Notes WHILE reading (This may include key phrases, concepts, vocabulary words, or any type of outline for the rest of your response. You do not need to write in full sentences HERE).
Pilosas were made up by researchers who were exploring whether kids could grasp the concept of natural selection.
They found that parables like the plight of the pilosa enabled even kindergartners to get evolution.
Children enjoy explanations, so much so they often invent their own
—like, giraffes must grow long necks so they can reach high branches.
After reading about the pilosa, all of the seven- and eight-year olds in the study could correctly explain that the species changed over time because the better-adapted creatures outreproduced those that were less fit. Early exposure to such complex concepts could help science literacy evolve.
Summary of article (Who, what, when, where, why?)
Researchers created an animal, the pilosa, to see if children could get the concept of natural selection. The study showed that children as young as kindergartners could grasp evolution. Kids love learning why something is the way it is. They often make up their own explanations like to reach high branches, giraffes grow long necks. After hearing the story about the pilosas, every 7 and 8 year old in the study knew why species evolve over time. It may help science literacy, if confusing concepts are introduced at an early age.
Do you feel this article is valid? Is the research reliable? Why or why not?
Yes, this article is valid. The research is reliable It shows that most kids, if not all, can learn about evolution, if it is explained to them in a more interesting way. In the study all the children learned what natural selection was and understood it.
What information does this article give? Is the information scientific or more general? Explain your answer. Who is the audience?