Curated OER
Introduction to Adaptation
Tenth graders observe collections of specimens and discuss their answers to provided questions. They explore common ancestry, homology, analogy, adaptive radiation, and evolution, while formulating creative answers based on their...
National Wildlife Federation
Create a Fish
Don't just teach learners to fish, but to create fish. The class discusses fish heads and predicts whether where the fish might live and what it eats. Given an index card with a fish adaptation written on it, pupils construct an...
Curated OER
Chapter 23 Guided Notes: The Origin of Species
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...
Curated OER
AP: Chapter 24: The Origin of Species
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....
Curated OER
Natural Selection Foldable
Students examine and identify examples of species that developed as a result of immigration, genetic drift, and adaptive radiation. They conduct Internet research and define key vocabulary terms, and use their species example on their...
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Using DNA to Explore Lizard Phylogeny
In a fun and interactive two-day lesson, learners sort anole lizard pictures by appearance. Next, they watch a video about the anoles and re-sort based on the information in the video. In addition to physical characteristics, budding...
Curated OER
Natural Selection
Biology learners tackle evolution-related concepts when viewing this collection of slides. There are no graphics or photos, just notes in bullet-point style detailing adaptations, evidence for evolution, mechanisms for change, and types...
American Museum of Natural History
What's This? Life at the Limits
There are some amazing ways species evolve to survive. From large ears to sneezing salt, learners read about these interesting adaptations in an interactive lesson. Great to supplement an in-class lesson, it also works well as a remote...
Rochester Institute of Technology
Heat Transfer
Use an exciting role play activity to teach young chemists about the importance of heat transfer in maintaining homeostasis. They assume the role of a dog sled owner who has been abandoned and must fend for themselves with only a few...
Scholastic
Study Jams! Seasons
Use this during the season of teaching about the seasons! As Earth revolves around the sun, its tilt causes the weather to change. The graphics in this presentation show how Earth's position in space has an effect on the angle of...
Curated OER
Hawaiian Bird Beak Adaptation
Students explore adaptation by participating in a lab activity. In this bird characteristics instructional activity, students discuss the different purposes birds have for their beaks and conduct an experiment testing which beaks collect...
Curated OER
Radiation In Our World
High schoolers identify the different sources of radiation around us. In this physics lesson, students calculate their estimated radiation exposure per year. They research a current issue about radiation.
Messenger Education
Sensing the Invisible: The Herschel Experiment
The electromagnetic spectrum includes everything from very powerful gamma rays (which are used to treat cancer) to much weaker radio waves (which include microwaves). Through a hands-on activity, scholars explore the temperature...
It's About Time
Mass Extinction and Fossil Records
The focus of a fossil-based lesson uses graphs and charts that allow young paleontologists to make inferences about events of mass extinction. They must apply their previous knowledge about fossil records in this final lesson of the...
Curated OER
ALARA
This activity sheet posts a chart of the common radiation sources in our everyday lives. Chemistry scholars use it to analyze their own radiation exposure using rem (Roentgen equivalent for man) units. This simple assignment increases...
Curated OER
Diversity and Adaptation
Tenth graders explore structure, function and variation among species. Through field observations, lab activities and homework, 10th graders observe and record examples of adaptation and variation.
Curated OER
Darwin's Finches
Seventh graders engage in a study of the Theory Of Evolution with the use of Darwin's finches as examples while making a connection to adaptive radiation. They use class discussion in order to further the instructional activity and focus...
Colorado State University
What Does Color Have to Do with Cooling?
Study the rate of cooling for objects of different colors. Learners focus on the reflection and absorption of infrared light. Your classes may be surprised to learn objects that heat the slowest also cool the slowest.
Colorado State University
What Is Beyond the Rainbow?
Help your classes see what they cannot see. Using different eyewear, scholars experience different light spectrums. Learners may be surprised by how the world looks with infrared light, thermal imaging, and ultraviolet light.
Curated OER
The History of Life
In this extinction worksheet, high schoolers 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.
American Physiological Society
Why is Kettle Corn Cooked in Copper Pots?
The kitchen — it's not just for eating anymore! Specific heat is often a difficult concept to grasp, so give it context by relating it to cooking. Learners gain experience in the principles of thermal energy transfer by designing an...
Curated OER
Bears
Students study polar bears and their characteristics. In this bears lesson plan students divide into groups and design a model that shows the effectiveness of their layers that keep them warm.
Curated OER
UV Radiation and the Developmental Stages of Red Flour Beetles
Students perform an experiment to compare the sensitivity of the various developmental stages of Red Flour Beetles to ultraviolet radiation. Larvae, pupae and adult beetles are exposed to a source of UV-B radiation. In groups, they...
Curated OER
Data Analysis of Ground Level Ozone
Sixth graders construct and interpret graphs from ozone data collected in Phoenix area. Can be adapted to other areas.