Biology: Warm-Blooded Wonders
In this one-time class, students will explore the fascinating world of warm-blooded animals. We’ll dive into the benefits of being warm-blooded and discuss why this evolutionary trait, while advantageous, also comes with downsides.
John PhD
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5.0
Number of reviews:(237)
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What's included
1 live meeting
25 mins in-class hoursClass Experience
Warm-blooded animals, like humans, have a unique ability to maintain a constant internal temperature, but have you ever wondered why this trait evolved? In this one-time class, we’ll explore the fascinating science behind warm-bloodedness, or endothermy, and what it means for survival. Join us as we uncover the perks of being warm-blooded, such as the ability to stay active in colder climates, and how this has shaped the evolution of many species, including our own. However, we'll also dive into the flip side such as why this seemingly advantageous trait requires so much energy and how it can be seen as a double-edged sword in the natural world. From the biological mechanisms that regulate body temperature to the evolutionary trade-offs that come with being warm-blooded, this class offers young scientists a comprehensive look at a fundamental aspect of biology. Whether you're curious about human evolution, animal biology, or just love learning about the natural world, this class is a perfect opportunity to dive into the science behind one of nature's most intriguing adaptations.
Learning Goals
Understand the benefits and challenges of being warm-bloodedGain insights into the role of endothermy in human evolution
Other Details
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Sources
Select References:
McNab (2002). The Physiological Ecology of Vertebrates: A View from Energetics
Clarke and Pörtner (2010). Temperature, metabolic power and the evolution of endothermy
Grigg et al. (2004). The evolution of endothermy and its diversity in mammals and birds
Teacher expertise and credentials
Master's Degree in Science from Saint Mary's University
Hello, Outschoolers!
My name is John and I have been a scientist and educator for over 15 years. I hold a Bachelor of Science (Honors in Biology), Master of Applied Sciences, and a Ph.D. in biology. Over my BSc, MSc and PhD I have designed and delivered courses for students aged 3 to 63 for class sizes ranging from one-on-one lessons to classrooms of over 300 students.
I have professionally taught subjects such as Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Astronomy, and Math, as well as more focused lessons such as courses in Public Speaking, Time Management, and Conversation Skills. I have worked as a scientific mentor and instructor to students in elementary school all the way to university. I hold certificates for 150-hour Teaching English as a Foreign Language and 250-hour Intensive Teaching certificates, and have participated in seminars for Grading and Giving Feedback to students. I have given scientific conference presentations to audiences of more than 700 people, and have published a number of peer-reviewed scientific articles. I also have experience coaching a variety of sports including hockey, basketball, and volleyball. I have been teaching courses online for 5 years to more than 1200 students.
I am a lifelong student and love to learn new things each day. My teaching philosophy revolves around this idea, that every student has a lot of their own to offer and I always try to relate any topic to a student's interest. You may find classes of mine that take popular culture and relate these hobbies and interests with academic concepts to help students relate to the material. My classes are often heavy in discussion (though no student is forced to speak if they do not want to) and we expand on the material in each lesson based on what students are most interested in. This often results in courses that interest me in particular and that I think can offer students a lot of value and critical thinking skills. I teach high-level academic courses, as well as conversation-based community development to foster interest in sharing things students enjoy.
Private, personalized tutoring is also available. Send me a message if interested.
I hope to see you all in class soon!
JohnReviews
Live One-Time Class
$21
per classMeets once
25 min
Completed by 1 learner
Live video meetings
Ages: 9-14
2-10 learners per class
