2000-2001 Research Project

The research project for the 2000/2001 WSSP investigated the causes for differences between humans and their closest cousins: the great apes (chimpanzees, gorillas, and orangutans).  The 2000/2001 project used DNA sequence data to examine the genes that these species have in common, and to look for differences in DNA sequence that may be significant in determining the greater intellectual capacity of humans.  In the course of these studies, students, teachers, and research scientists worked together, using the basic principles of molecular biology and genetic engineering to try to solve this research problem. By actually doing science, teachers and students gained an understanding of how science operates.