1.4 Should we?

A. Traits - Which do you have?

Dire wolves and wolves have traits that are different and traits that are the same, but they are different species. What about traits in the same species? Do all species have the same traits? Let’s look at people. 

People have more commonalities than differences. Most people are born with two arms, two legs, ten fingers and ten toes. We do have differences though. Find pictures of ten people and you’ll see a the things we have in common and ways we are different. Some of those differences are in our code. 

Directions: Look at the four traits below. Some people have one trait. Some people have others. Which do you have? 

Widow’s peak vs. straight hairline?

Attached vs. free earlobes?

Tongue rolling ability?

Dimples vs. no dimples?

B. Survey

Directions: Now it’s time to see how common some of these variations are.

  • Survey your 4-9 people (the more the better) to see which variations they have. 
  • Then make a graph to show which are the most common.

Use your mission log to tally or count your answers.

C. Wild Traits

As you can see there are lots of variations in traits in humans. Some traits are shared across species. Many mammals have four legs or limbs. Most have two eyes. Most have a mouth with teeth. There are also big variations across very different species. There are many traits or superpowers that one species has and another doesn’t. Check out some of the amazing traits from different species below. 

Think About It: 

  1. If you could have one of those powers as a super power which would you want? Why? 

Jellyfish

Bioluminescence: Have the ability to glow at night.

Super DNA 1.3 Jellyfish

Saharan Silver Ant

Heat Resistance: Can survive and function in scorching temperatures up to 140°F (60°C).

Super DNA 1.3 Saharan Silver Ant

Archerfish

Precision Water Jets: Shoots streams of water out of their mouths with pinpoint accuracy to knock insects out of the air.

Super DNA 1.3 Archerfish

Octopus

Shapeshifting: Can change its color, texture, and shape to mimic other animals or hide in plain sight.

Super DNA 1.3 Octopus

Electric Eel

Electric Shock: Can generate powerful electric shocks to stun prey or defend against predators.

Super DNA 1.3 Electric Eel

Axolotl

Regeneration: Can regrow entire limbs, spinal cords, and even parts of their heart and brain.

Super DNA 1.3 Axolotl

Tardigrade

Extreme Survival: A tiny creature that can survive in extreme temperatures, radiation, and even the vacuum of space.

Super DNA 1.3 Tardigrade

Mantis Shrimp

Super Punch: Delivers one of the fastest and most powerful punches in the animal kingdom, strong enough to break glass.

Super DNA 1.3 Mantis Shrimp

D. Our Mission - Could We / Should We

In this mission, we’re going to think about some big questions that could change the world we live in. As we think, we’re going to think a lot about “could we” and “should we”. Why these two questions? Well…. just because we can do something, doesn’t mean we should. How did you decide?

Directions: Here are four science fiction examples. Read each one and decide, if we could do it, should we do it? How did you decide?

  • Plastic-Eating Bugs: Scientists create a new bug that can eat plastic and help clean up pollution. Could we release them to help save the planet? Should we, if we’re not sure what else they might eat or how they could affect ecosystems?
  • Animal Translators: A tech company creates a collar that lets animals speak human languages. Could we finally hear what animals are thinking? Should we, if it might change how we treat pets, zoos, or farms?
  • Memory Erase App: A new app lets you delete bad memories from your brain.
  • Could we use it to erase painful moments or embarrassing mistakes? Should we, if it means losing important lessons or parts of who we are?
  • Weather Control Machines: Engineers invent machines that can control weather—stopping hurricanes or ending droughts. Could we use them to protect people and grow more food? Should we, if changing one area’s weather messes things up somewhere else?
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