Introduction

The Internet Resources

General information, prehistory and theories

• Life has a history - Designed to present basic information at three grade level ranges: K-4, 5-8, and 9-12, this site has interactions, definitions, and a teacher's guide.

• The long foreground: human prehistory - Great for middle school and high school students, this site includes images, maps, photographs, a timeline, and drawings. Included are opposing viewpoints of the moninid family tree (Leakey and Johanson), and differing viewpoints on other evolution controversies.

• Early theories of evolution - What happened before Darwin? Learn about Creationism and other pre-Darwin ideas and concepts that eventually led to Darwin's theory of evolution. The glossary 'speaks' in mp3 format.

• Evolution - This excellent site has lots of information on concepts, theories, and processes of evolution. Best for high school students and up. Types of genetic variations are covered, including chromosomes, crossing over, mutations and genetic drift.

Animal evolution -- fish and birds

• The missing link - It's not what you think! Although designed to accompany a video, this site can stand alone. Follow Dr. Jenny Clark as she explores Greenland in search of the ancestor or all four-limbed animals, including humans. Learn how fossils are prepared, and try out the interactive section that shows how random mutations can lead to species-wide changes.

• The dawn of animal life - A good site on the evolution of animals before the time of dinosaurs. See the oldest known fossils, and some that have been recently discovered in Newfoundland, Canada. Includes text and images, best for middle school and older students.

• The evolution of flight in birds - Easy navigation, and review questions make this site a great one for elementary and middle school students. Using evidence from the fossil record, students will learn how birds may have evolved from small, carnivorous, feathered dinosaurs. There is a teacher section with lesson plans, handouts and other resources.

Human evolution -- biological and cultural and more!

• Evolution: a journey into where we're from and where we're going - Good information on Darwin, change, extinction, survival, humans, and religion. A section has exerpts from Darwin's diary, and a timeline. An interesting inclusion is an explanation of how racism and biogtry are mistakenly associated with Darwin. Good for middle school and up.

• Becoming human: journey through the story of human evolution in a broadband documentary experience - Terrific site for those with a high speed Internet connection. The Institute of Human Origins and Arizona State University worked together to provide a site with news, opinions, and an interactive online learning center exploring our ancestors and human evolution. Great audio and video add to the experience! Extra resources include: explore a dig, finding fossils, big brains, and genetics and evolution.

• Early human evolution: biological and cultural evolution of Homo habilis and Homo erectus - Are we the only species of humans who ever lived? Learn about early human culture, the differences between early humans, and view fossil skulls. This site includes a spoken glossary in mp3 format.

• Human evolution - Perfect for elementary and middle school students, this very basic site gives a good overview. There is a timeline, and a great glossary with illustrations.

• Human evolution - From an exhibit at the Australian Museum, students can learn about how research is conducted, cultural evoluation, and skeletal details. There are various perspectives on fossil skulls, including lesser known examples, which can be manipulated in 3D.

The Scopes trial -- 1925

• Famous trials in American history: Tennessee vs. John Scopes, the Monkey Trial 1925 - An overview and history of the 1925 trial that debated the teaching of Darwin's theory of evolution in American classrooms. Primary sources include trial exerpts, cartoons, sections of the textbook used in the classroom, and reflections by Mr. Scopes that were transcribed in 1965.

• Monkey trial: an all-out duel between science and religion - Although designed to accompany a video, this site stands on its own. Visit the courthouse in Dayton, Tennessee, view political cartoons of the time, learn what made William Jennings Bryan and Clarence Darrow such convincing orators. Take a poll and give your opinion on whether evolution should be taught in today's schools. Listen to audio of monkey-themed songs from 1925 that were inspired by the controversy.