17_Evolutionary Tree of Life: Building Phylogenetic Relationships: Card of the learning path

Card of the learning path


General topic of the learning path	Evolutionary Biology and Bio-Inspired Systems
Specific name of the learning unit	Evolutionary Tree of Life – How Species Are Related
Age of the target users	14-18 target
Requirements for the learner	Basic knowledge of biology, including concepts such as species, adaptation, and evolution. Familiarity with simple digital tools is recommended. No prior experience with phylogenetics or Augmented Reality is required.
Description of the learning unit	This unit introduces students to the Tree of Life, explaining how species are classified based on their genetic, morphological, and evolutionary relationships. Students explore how scientists use phylogenetics to identify common ancestry and reconstruct evolutionary relationships between organisms. To make the learning process interactive and immersive, students use Augmented Reality (AR) to build, manipulate, and analyze a phylogenetic tree. Through hands-on AR activities, learners visualize evolutionary connections between species, explore patterns of divergence, and understand how adaptation and natural selection contribute to biodiversity.
Subject: Parties involved	Biology, Evolutionary Science, Bioinformatics, Augmented Reality
Keywords	Phylogeny, Tree of Life, evolutionary relationships, common ancestry, biodiversity, homologous traits, Augmented Reality, bio-inspiration, systems thinking
Key qualifications, skills and knowledge that can be acquired	Understanding of phylogenetic concepts and evolutionary relationships Ability to interpret and construct phylogenetic trees Skills in comparing biological traits and evaluating evidence Development of systems thinking and bio-inspired reasoning Experience with AR-supported inquiry-based and collaborative learning
Resources and didactic aids used	Augmented Reality platforms (e.g. Delightex) 3D biological models (e.g. organisms and evolutionary structures from Sketchfab, Delightex) Educational videos and online resources on phylogeny Digital devices (tablets, smartphones, computers) Teacher-guided discussion and collaborative activities
Assessment criteria and evaluation	Students are assessed through participation in AR-based activities, the construction and interpretation of phylogenetic trees, and their ability to justify evolutionary relationships using evidence. Evaluation focuses on conceptual understanding, analytical reasoning, collaboration, and reflective thinking. Formative assessment is supported through observation, discussion, and AR-based tasks, while final evaluation includes student-created models and explanations.