Woolly Mammoth

Unit Overview

What caused the woolly mammoth to go extinct? Should we bring the woolly mammoth back?

How can we develop claims about the extinction of species long ago, based on findings in current ecosystems affected by human actions? Human population growth, globalization, and industrialization are having profound impacts on the long term health and stability of ecosystems, permanently altering the products of billions of years of evolutionary history on planet Earth. After raising questions about the extinction of the woolly mammoth, students investigate how humans have altered ecosystems and what actions may be taken to preserve biodiversity. Students create models throughout the unit and utilize simulations to gain a deeper understanding of large scale geological and biological processes through a set of case studies that highlight the decline of three key species. Finally, students use their learning to evaluate several claims about causes for the extinction of the woolly mammoth, and evaluate a scientific argument about whether we should invest resources in bringing the mammoth back from extinction as a solution to human-caused biodiversity loss.