Activity
American Museum of Natural History

American Museum of Natural History: Crazy Camouflage

For Students 3rd - 5th
Create a flounder fish that's hard to spot. In this hands-on activity, students gather evidence to explore how camouflage helps animals survive.
Lesson Plan
Indiana University

Ensi: Blocks and Screws Lesson Plan

For Teachers 9th - 10th
The Evolution and the Nature of Science Institute offers lesson plans that investigate the vestigial organs in such a way as to better explain their imperfections as proof of evolution rather than the result of "intelligent design."
Unit Plan
E-learning for Kids

E Learning for Kids: Science: Iceland: What Are Adaptations?

For Students 5th - 7th
Join Ike when he travels in the Arctic to learn about how animals adapt to cold environments.
Unit Plan
E-learning for Kids

E Learning for Kids: Science: Nova Zembla Expedition: How Are Different Organisms Suited to Their Habitats?

For Students 5th - 7th
Alex and Foxy White are walking around looking at animals and learning about their habitats. Join them on their expedition.
Website
PBS

Pbs Learning Media: Ingredients for Life: Water

For Students 9th - 10th
This video segment adapted from NOVA goes on a whimsical journey in search of life forms thriving in extreme conditions on Earth and in outer space. Animations show ice on Jupiter's moon, Europa, and signs that water once existed on...
Interactive
PBS

Pbs Learning Media: Night Vision

For Students 5th - 9th
This interactive feature from the NOVA: "Leopards of the Night" Web site highlights the nighttime habits and abilities of a wide range of nocturnal creatures.
Activity
Scholastic

Scholastic: Build Your Own Caterpillar

For Students 2nd - 7th
Choose adaptation features that will help a caterpillar to survive when predators are nearby. Students enter their reasons for choosing the characteristics they did, and receive feedback.
Activity
Scholastic

Scholastic: Dirtmeister's Science Reporters: Animal Adaptations

For Students 3rd - 7th
Provides guidelines for doing research on animal adaptations. Provides some examples of adaptations and then provides questions to help students develop a report on a particular animal's adaptations.
Website
PBS

Pbs Learning Media: Wild in the City

For Students 3rd - 8th
Learn about how wild parakeets have adapted to city life in this WILD TV video segment.
Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Investigating Animals: Interdependence of Life in a Habitat

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
In this activity, students will learn how changes in nature can be beneficial or harmful to animals. At the end, students will be able to conclude information according to the evidence collected.
Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Comparative Anatomy of Bird vs. Human Leg Bones

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This activity is designed for young scholars to compare and contrast the anatomy of bird and human leg bones. Students will kinesthetically model walking like a bird to note the differences in the foot bones.
Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Adaptations of Plants for Survival in Different Environments

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
In this activity, students investigate plant adaptations by observing plants in different environments comparing the plants to show similarities and differences. Students will learn about the adaptations plants need in order to survive...
Unit Plan
TED Talks

Ted: Ted Ed: The Game Changing Amniotic Egg

For Students 9th - 10th
April Tucker peels back each layer of the amniotic egg, revealing how truly extraordinary this evolutionary marvel is. [4:30]
Unit Plan
TED Talks

Ted: Ted Ed: Underwater Astonishments

For Students 9th - 10th
David Gallo shows jaw-dropping footage of amazing sea creatures, including a color-shifting cuttlefish, a perfectly camouflaged octopus, and a Times Square's worth of neon light displays from fish who live in the blackest depths of the...
Handout
Other

The Rise of Evolutionary Biology: Biology Before Darwin

For Students 9th - 10th
These pages are part of a site called "Evolution," that accompanies a textbook by the same name. Mark Ridley is the author. Here he discusses theories for species change that were before Darwin published "On the Origin of Species."
Website
Other

Ernest Hemingway in His Times : A Farewell to Arms

For Students 9th - 10th
This brief exhibit provides some interesting details about the origin of the novel and its adaptations over time.
Lesson Plan
University of Texas at Austin

University of Texas: Potato Fish Adaptations [Pdf]

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Using their knowledge of fish's adaptations, students create their own imaginary fish!
Website
Morning Earth

All Lives Interlive: Over Many Lifetimes: Adaptation

For Students 9th - 10th
The tutorial explores adaptation. Topics examined are evolution, co-evolution, variation within species, and mutation. Definitions, examples, and pictures on the concept are included.
Unit Plan
Scholastic

Scholastic: Study Jams! Science: Plants: Plant Adaptations

For Students 3rd - 5th
A video and a short multiple-choice quiz on the topic of plant adaptations.
Handout
Other

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden: What Are Adaptations [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
This pdf presents a thorough examination of plant adaptations with emphasis on different types of functional and reproductive adaptations.
Interactive
Smithsonian Institution

Smithsonian National Zoo: Bird Bill Matching Game

For Students 9th - 10th
Can you identify the purpose of different bird beaks? Read up about the different types of beaks and then you'll apply your knowledge by identifying the purpose of different shaped beaks.
Unit Plan
E-learning for Kids

E Learning for Kids: Norway Vikings: How Are Animals Adapted to Their Environment?

For Students 5th - 7th
Learn about the patterns of adaptation in animals in response to changes to their environment. These can be in relation to things such as diet, survival against predators, or a change of habitat.
Activity
Exploratorium

Exploratorium: Science Snacks: Depth Spinner

For Students 9th - 10th
Observe adaptation and perception in the activity. This activity will have students watching a continuously rotation spiral to see what happens as you watch it and then look away.
Article
DOGO Media

Dogo News: Week of 1 12 15: Can Songbirds Hear Storms Long Before They Arrive?

For Students 5th - 8th
Article reports on research being done with songbirds to learn whether they can detect the upcoming arrival of strong storms.