Evolution Lab

Does the human body evolve as quickly as human culture? With a stellar 15-minute video, explore the trait of lactose intolerance. Only about 1/3 of human adults seem to still have the enzyme lactase and therefore, the ability to digest...

Adaptations must be made as environments change. This fabulous presentation features Icelandic icefish, a transparent, scaleless specimen that even has colorless blood. Genetics and adaptations concepts are explored as scientists study...

Give young biologists a firsthand look at the process of evolution with this engaging student-centered science investigation. Taking advantage of the rapid life cycle of the Wisconsin Fast Plant, this experiment involves students growing...

Have you been shaped by evolution? A short video introduces the idea of evolution through examples of natural selection, reproduction, traits, and more. The video exists as a small part of a series from the NOVA Evolution Lab.

It doesn't matter if you look on land, in the air, underground, or in water—evolution is everywhere. Scholars complete worksheets with multiple question types as they progress through six online missions creating phylogenic trees. 

Many scholars study phylogenetic trees without understanding how they are made. Through an online game, young scientists use the given data to create phylogenetic trees of increasing complexity. They rely on the trees they create to...

In humans, the rate of mutation from one generation to the next is between 100 and 200 mutations. Discover the role of DNA mutation in evolution with an enriching lab activity.

Peacocks, when fanning their feathers to attract females, shake the feathers, creating an inaudible sound for humans but one that female hens can hear, even from far away. In the video, scholars explore evolution by analyzing artificial...

Biogeography is the study of the geographical distribution of plants and animals. NOVA's Evolution Lab explains how organisms on different continents can be so closely related. The resource discusses the processes that bring life from...

Explore the concept of evolution and cell biology; your class can work in groups to use the internet to view websites on evolution, take a quiz, and complete a lab activity.