Students identify key anatomical similarities and differences between great apes and humans. They infer likely anatomical features in ancient human ancestors and list principal anatomical changes in primates necessary for adaptation to...

Twelfth graders collaborate and analyze information about our hominid lineage. They discuss evidence researched by anthropologists. Students use spreadsheet data to compare means of locomotion, diet and brain size.

Students explore dinosaurs. Students determine the relationship between leg length, stride length, and speed in humans and bipedal dinosaurs. Students analyze collected information. Based upon the data, dinosaur tracks, and fossils,...

High schoolers determine the relationship between leg length, stride length, and speed in humans and bipedal dinosaurs. They collect data and graph these human characteristics then use actual data collected from dinosaur track pads and...

Students investigate hominid evolution to learn the difference between a relative and an ancestor. They study the emergence of bipedalism and the related physical adaptations and cultural ramifications, and chart patterns of hominid...

Students 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).

In this science learning exercise, students write each of the vocabulary terms that relate to earth science listed in the spaces of the bingo card provided. Then they use the clues at the bottom of the sheet to match to its correct...

Feet are neat! So, if you've already walked the path of examining animal footprints with your class, put them in the shoes of early humans! A well-designed lesson incorporates video, discussion, and hands-on learning to demonstrate how...

Addressing the idea of intelligent design, as well as a number of creation myths, this presentation gives a measured and scientific perspective to the beginning of the world.  It includes a graphic on the Big Bang Theory, evolution,...

Students examine the economic and ecological benefits of forest canopies. They read and discuss an article, answer questions, conduct research, draw field sketches of a canopy ecosystem, conduct a feasibility study, or prepare tourist...

Learners measure and correlate their foot lengths and body heights, then use this data to estimate height of Laetoli hominids. They use metric measurement and graphing to determine these heights.

Students study primates and their evolution history.  For this role play lesson students view a video on evolution then demonstrate how primates walked and other observations they noticed in the film. 

In this evolution worksheet, students review 9 terms associated with the evolution of primates. Students place 6 terms into a crossword puzzle and 3 terms into fill in the blank statements.

Middle schoolers participate in groups to show how two legged and four legged dinosaurs walked. Using fossilized footprints, they identify the two and four legged dinosaurs shown. They use the internet to determine what happen by a...

In this online quiz worksheet, students answer a set of multiple choice questions about a Haiku poem based on exotic sea creatures.. Page includes links to answers and resources.

Young scholars investigate how body design affects balance. They make simple models of dinosaur bodies using straws and marshmallows. Before making their models, they discuss the effects of gravity and the importance of balance in body...

Students participate in "Raiders of the Future", a role play about futuristic scientists sending a spaceship to Mars for research and exploration. They collect geological samples for analysis, discover the ruins of an ancient...

In this tutorial, students will identify the fossil evidence for the evolution of bipedalism then hypothesize about the evolutionary pressures affecting bipedal behavior.

John Noble Wilford, a "New York Times" science writer, outlines various hypotheses on the origin of bipedalism.

This lesson plan explores the primates in the African savannas that were the first animals to walk erect (bipedalism), which is a milestone in human evolution.

From ABC News in Science, Will Dunham's article on orangutans covers topics related to the evolutionary process of "bipedal walking," or walking on two legs instead of four.

In this exercise you will build two skeletons, one of an ape and one of a modern human being. The bones have been completely mixed up so its up to you to find the right fit. In this exercise you will learn about the unique...

Primates are a group of mammals that include apes, humans, monkeys, and prosimians. Primate characteristics and anatomy are explored, as well as life cycles, behavior and diet. Human impacts on other primate species have been...