Hands On Activities
The most compelling evidence for evolution comes from relatively new findings in science, such as molecular biology, new theories in mathematics, ecology, astronomy and paleontology. An excellent way to introduce these often complex subjects is through hands-on activities and games.
The following activities and games demonstrate what we know about evolution and how we know that evolution occurs.
Elemental Birthdays
Elemental Birthdays: How to bring Science into Every Party. Authors Heather and Jon Cleland-Host offer fun new ways to celebrate birthdays while at the same time learning about the building blocks of our universe.
Time Spirals
Time Spirals show the story of the universe in a delightful way that gives us a profound sense of our place in time. Just as every science classroom has a poster of the periodic table, soon, every history classroom will have a set of these Time Spirals.
Tinkering with DNA
DNA is at the heart of biological evolution. To learn how mobile DNA creates the genetic diversity that drives evolution, you can tinker with simulated DNA.
Evolution Beads
Recreate the story of the universe with beads representing significant events, such at the emergence of light,the ignition of the sun, the appearance of the first cell, and your birthday.
String Genome
What percentage of the DNA in our cells encodes proteins? Use string to simulate the 2 meters of DNA in each of our cells.
Colors of the Universe
Scientists look at light to learn about stars, galaxies and the age of the universe. In this activity, we use diffraction glasses to learn how scientists see back in time.
Isolating DNA
All creatures from microbes to men contain DNA, the information storage molecule. In this activity, we isolate DNA from strawberries.
More Activities
People learn best when their bodies and minds are engaged in discovery. Here are more activities and games that demonstrate what we know about evolution.
Symbiotic Cells
Endosymbiosis was one of the most important events in evolution. Candies and a baggies are used to model simple cells, which are then combined to model the endosymbiotic evolution of mitochondria.
Reconstructing Fossil Bones
Reconstruct an ancient fossil skeleton by puzzling together individual paper "bones".
DNA Beads
Beads On Pipecleaners to Simulate DNA Replication, Transcription and Translation Hands...
Exploring Evolution
Exploring Evolution is a curriculum based on hands-on activities that allow students to discover key concepts in the Epic of Evolution.
Dating Rocks with Beanium and Cornium
How do we know the age of the Earth and its rocks? Count relative amounts of "Beanium" and "Cornium" to discover the age of this "rock."
Web of Life
Creatures evolve in ecosystems. In this activity, students create a web with yarn to demonstrate the interdependence of various creatures in a pond ecosystem.
