Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Great Transitions: The Origin of Tetrapods
The featured movie focuses on the ancestry of our four-footed friends. Find the fundamental pattern of their limbs and vertebrae in fossils of fish. After viewing, biology learners can enjoy interactive websites to zoom in on the...
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
The Origin of Species: The Making of a Theory
The heartbreaking story of Alfred Wallace's loss of collected evidence opens this documentary about the development of the theory of evolution. You will find supportive resources to use with the movie in your biology class.
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
The Making of the Fittest: The Birth and Death of Genes
After watching an engaging 13-minute video about the colorless blood of icefish, future ichthyologists examine icefish blood and non-icefish blood (blood samples are simulated with Karo syrup mixtures) to determine advantages of...
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
The Making of the Fittest: Got Lactase? The Co-evolution of Genes and Culture
Got milk? Only two cultures have had it long enough to develop the tolerance of lactose as an adult. Learn how the responsible genes evolved along with the cultures that have been consuming milk. This rich film is supplied with a few...
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
The Making of the Fittest: Natural Selection and Adaptation
The pocket mouse can be light brown like the sands of the desert, or dark brown like the volcanic lava flows that are interspersed throughout New Mexico's Valley of Fire. It seems that predators have weeded out light colored mice in this...
Curated OER
Life in Tropical Rainforests
You're a time traveler, reaching back 400 million years! See how rainforests evolved over time. Breathtaking views and captivating close-ups of rain forest critters engage learners and create interest.
Curated OER
Evolution Primer #7: Why Is Evolution Controversial Anyway?
Why do some people think evolution is a controversial topic? This video does a wonderful job of explaining the controversy around evolution in an unbiased way. Showing the source of controversy from both a scientific and religious...
Curated OER
Evolution Primer #4: How Does Evolution Really Work?
Find out how evolution really works. This video explains the concept of adaptation and natural selection to describe how evolutionary change occurs. We'll find out that natural selection is comprised of four key components; each...
Curated OER
Evolution Primer #5: Did Humans Evolve?
Clear up any confusion regarding human evolution and ancestry with this comprehensive clip. Using scientific evidence and concrete examples such as DNA, this clip explains human evolution in a way elementary learners can understand. This...
Curated OER
Evolution Primer #2: Who Was Charles Darwin?
Introduce your young scientists to Charles Darwin, his observations, and how those observations became the basis of the theory of evolution. Use this clip to build an understanding of scientific observation, data collection, and the...
Curated OER
Evolution Primer #1: Isn't Evolution Just a Theory?
What is a theory? Learners are primed for a lesson on theory, science, and the use of scientific evidence as it's used to prove evolution. This is a great video for elementary schoolers and can be used to introduce the concept of...
Curated OER
Intelligent Design and Evolution
This video about a delicate, often controversial topic, does not argue for one area or another, but does talk about the random process versus design of an involved organ. The lecturer talks freely about how infinite complexity such as...
Curated OER
Evolution Clarification
The extent to which "Fittest" can describe social success versus reproductive success is explored. Evolution may not always lead to a more desirable trait, just the one which best suits the current environment. The idea of intelligent...
Khan Academy
Natural Selection and the Owl Butterfly
The lecturer describes how specific characteristics develop. In this case, he discusses eye marking. The impact of environmental factors significantly influences the likelihood of successful reproduction, as favorable genes are more...
TED-Ed
The Coelacanth: A Living Fossil of a Fish
It was just another day of fishing at the local pier when a man unknowingly reeled in a fish thought to be extinct for 65 million years. This short video explains how scientists were surprised to discover that this 360 million year...
Stated Clearly
Can Science Explain the Origin of Life?
How did life on earth begin? Is there a scientific explanation that could show how life arose from chemical reactions? Discover the answers to these questions and more as you watch a basic explanation of the hypotheses currently being...
MinutePhysics
Evolution vs. Natural Selection
Clear up the confusion between natural selection and evolution with this cartoon. A hand draws diagrams and scenery as a voice narrates. This little feature is ideal for introducing these two concepts to beginning biologists.
California Academy of Science
Mimic Octopus
The award for the most effective adaptation goes to the mimic octopus, a newly described species. The octopus can change its color, shape, and behavior to mimic flounder, lion fish, sea snakes, and more.
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
The Making of the Fittest: Evolving Switches, Evolving Bodies
How did the stickleback fish, which was once ocean bound, evolve to be able to persist in freshwater lakes? Hear from the scientists who identified the genes and related switches that allowed these survivors to adapt. In addition to the...
Stated Clearly
What is Natural Selection?
Examine exactly what is meant by natural selection, as well as how it works in nature and through the assistance of humans. Presented with fun graphics and simple narration, the complex topic of natural selection is clearly explained in...
TED-Ed
How Did Feathers Evolve?
What do dinosaurs and modern birds have in common? More than you may think. See how scientists figured out the evolutionary relationship between these seemingly disparate animals. Additionally, discover how and why the feather evolved...
Curated OER
Charles Darwin (Part 2)
Part two of this entertaining series looks at Darwin's visit to the Galapagos, his return home, and his determination to support his theories with evidence. What fun!
TED-Ed
Digging for Humanity's Origins
"Is this a good evolutionary adaptation, or is it going to lead us to being the shortest lived hominid species on planet earth?" Listen as Kenyan paleontologist Louise Leakey discusses our evolution from common ancestry and her work in...
Curated OER
Natural Selection
It's Mr. Anderson, and he's ready to explain natural selection! Be excited, because he has the ability to make scientific biology and genetic functions in terms of natural selection make sense. With great examples and a clear and gentle...