Taking Biodiversity to School: Systematics, Evolutionary Biology, and the Nature of Science

Abstract

A concept map for taking biodiversity to school is proposed here using a novel approach that combines systematics, evolutionary biology, and the nature of science. The concept map is tied to the recently published next generation science standards (NGSS). The problem of biodiversity is presented as a way to justify the need to take it to school. Biological classification is presented as a hypothesis about order in nature that is based on the evolutionary history of the organisms. Classification is the reference system of the entirety of biology with predictive and explanatory power. Homology is the concept that connects systematics to evolutionary biology. Evolutionary biology explains and systematics reflects the unity and diversity of life.