Punctuated Equilibrium Teacher Resources

This doesn't have to be used as a guided notes learning exercise because the questions are thought-provoking and applicable to any biology class that is learning about the origin of species. Pupils write out answers to questions about...

An exceptionally creative approach is taken to assessing your biologists' grasp of natural selection concepts. They are to imagine hosting Charles Darwin for dinner and having, to their surpise, a few other noted scientists crash the...

AP biology buffs define vocabulary terms and answer critical-thinking questions about evolutionary trends. They compare macroevolution to microevolution, differentiate ploidy possibilities, explain isolation barriers, and more....

Viewers see how reproductive isolation can lead to speciation as the narrator of a video focusing on speciation explains the steps to reproductive isolation and addresses both allopatric and sympatric speciation. 

Students create an evolutionary tree based on fossil morphology and their ages. In this fossil record lesson plan, students are given 23 pictures of fossil. They study their morphology and arrange the fossils by age and structures on a...

Students read an article by Niles Eldridge about species and the environment and break into small groups to discuss it. They write essays noting strengths and weaknesses of punctuated equilibrium and gradualism, or other topics listed.

For this extinction worksheet, students review how species evolve and how species go extinct. Students compare and contrast gradualism and punctuated equilibrium. This worksheet has 6 fill in the blank and 4 short answer questions.

Can your young biologists interpret population graphs, match macroevolution patterns and descriptions, and answer multiple choice questions about evolution? Find out with a comprehensive three-page quiz covering some specific examples of...

In this biology worksheet, students complete a concept mp on the theory of evolution by natural selection. They fill in 8 blanks with the correct terms from the list.

Young scholars compare the three theories used tp interpret fossil records. In this earth science lesson, students create a production of a televised debate. They collaborate with group members to generate relevant questions about the...

This brief explanation of punctuated equilibrium includes paragraphs on the history of the theory and the controversy surrounding it.

Starts with a definition of Punctuated Equilibrium, followed by an explanation of this "Observation," and how it fits with other evolutionary theory.

In this lesson, students use the fossil record to understand the topics of speciation, punctuated equilibrium, and gradualism. Students arrange fictitious animals' fossils by age based on appearance to create a fossil record.

[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Constrasts gradualism and punctuated equilibrium.

Standford University provides interesting biographical and professional information on Stephen Jay Gould and his many contributions to scientific thought, including his efforts to help people see science "As something that is important...

Read about the life of scientist Stephen Jay Gould. A love for dinosaurs led him into science and he became a leading figure in studies of evolution. He was also a professor and a popular speaker and science writer. Includes a profile,...

See how Stephen Jay Gould's early interest in baseball influenced his thought process as a scientist.

The American Institute of Biological Sciences offers this article by Niles Eldredge, evolutionary theorist and curator at the American Museum of Natural History. Eldredge begins with Darwin's theories and summarizes subsequent thought,...

Stephen Jay Gould, "The bulldog of evolutionary biology," is honored here by Harvard University, where he spend his teaching and writing career. Mention of articles, books, and awards, plus quotes from colleagues, offer an engaging view...

Paul Andersen explains how reproductive isolation can eventually lead to speciation. Three main barriers to gene flow are included: geographic, pre-zygotic and post-zygotic. Both allopatric and sympatric speciation are discussed. A brief...

In this transcript of an interview filmed for the PBS series "Evolution," scientists Ted Daeschler and Neil Shubin describe the discovery and significance of some of their key fossil finds.