Evolution Lesson Plans

Students investigate how natural selection influences evolution. They complete a hands-on lab simulation of natural selection, and replicate a real experiment and examine the interplay between selection factors in a population of guppies.

Students discuss controversies about evolution they are familiar with as well as the basic principles behind the theory of evolution. The notion of intelligent design is introduced and discussed before they begin research about the history of the response to the theory of evolution. An essay is written based on their research and intelligent design.

Learners examine how scientists use fossil evidence to trace evolution of various species and methods used to date fossils.

Students recognize that achievements of human beings throughout human history can be considered part of the ongoing story of human evolution. They research settings such as the biosphere and Mars and write imaginative short stories using those settings.

Students compare their performance of a series of tasks using their thumb and fingers to their performance of the same tasks without the use of their thumb. They discuss the role of fine and gross motor skills and speculate on the role of the opposable thumb in primate evolution.

Students observe animals and look for signs of evolution.  In this evolution lesson students divide into groups, make observations and write a paper on their findings.

Students identify the signs of evolution in animals.  In this evolutionary lesson students divide into groups research the internet and create a presentation on evolution using the website JayCut

Students are explained that they are going to create a large-scale time line, called "The History of the Science of Evolution." They are explained that the time line should consist of dates and, above or below the dates, which provides details about the people who played major roles in advancing about the evolution of plants and animals.

Students study why evolution is at the heart of a world health threat by investigating the increasing problem of antibiotic resistance in such menacing diseases as tuberculosis and influenza.

Students examine the controversy surrounding evolution --- the challenges to science, the battles over teaching evolution in the schools, and the reconciliation of religion and science. They also examine an interactive time line of evolutionary events and present one event to the class.