Curated OER
What is the Evidence for Evolution?
Students identify one object that would tell the story of their lives. In groups, they determine what can and cannot be told from objects left behind. After watching a video, they compare and contrast chicken bones to human bones. To...
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...
Curated OER
How Did Humans Evolve?
Students are introduced to four important fossil finds: the First Family, the Hadar Skull, Lucy, and the Laetoli Footprints. They explore how scientists interpret fossils to try to better comprehend how humans evolved. This activity...
Curated OER
Molecular Sequences & Primate Evolution: Amino Acids, Hemoglobins in Evolution
Students compare differences in amino acids in the beta hemoglobin from representative primates, complete a matrix of those differences, and from these data, construct and interpret cladograms as they reflect relationships and timing of...
Curated OER
Hominid Series
Students are introduced to the human stages of evolution. They complete a series of lessons on identifying the cranial structure for various hominids, understanding the timeline involved in human evolution and investigating ancient...
Curated OER
Hominoid Skull Comparison
Young scholars are provided with evidence used to support evolutionary theory. They are introduced to classification by using primates as an example. Students read article related to Hominoid Skull Comparison and write a summary about...
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Explore Your Inner Animals
Human bodies prove evolution thanks to our genes, bones, and more. Learning about specific body parts and how they evolved from other species helps individuals better understand the transition species that helped us become who we are today.
Curated OER
Tracing the Origins of Man
Students discuss Hominid evolution through various websites and other resources. They examine online fossil skulls, discuss the use of tools by ancient man, and look for examples of sophisticated tools built by man.
Curated OER
Human Ancestry
In this human ancestry worksheet, students will answer questions about hominids, "Lucy", and the emergence of modern humans. Then students will compare the characteristics of Neanderthals and Cro-Magnons. This worksheet has four short...
Curated OER
The Earliest Primates
For this early primate worksheet, students will read information about the fossil evidence of the earliest primates. Students will complete 3 short answer questions based on their reading.
Curated OER
The Chromosome Connection
Students evaluate the degree of chromosome similarity and difference between humans and apes. Students infer about the relationship between a human and ape based on similarities found.
Curated OER
A Little Horse Sense
How have horses evolved over time? How do horse skulls reveal this evolution? How have the roles horses play changed over time? What kind of social structure do horse herds have? How should wild horse populations be managed? To find the...
Curated OER
Hominoid Cranium Comparison
High schoolers describe, measure and compare cranial casts from contemporary apes (chimpanzees and gorillas, typically), modern humans and fossil "hominids" (erect and bipedal forms evolutionarily separated from apes).
Curated OER
Activity: Bird Beak Buffet
Middle schoolers study the functions of bird beaks. In this animal evolution instructional activity, students compare and contrast different types of bird beaks focusing on how the beaks are adapted to the foods the birds eat. Middle...
Curated OER
Dolphin Brains
Students listen to an interview with Lori Marino regarding the development of dolphin brains and read a summarizing text. They conduct further research and participate in class discussion.