Shape of Life provides free science resources for both students and teachers about the evolution of the animal kingdom. We offer short videos, lesson plans, features and news of animals on planet earth.

Phyla

The animal kingdom is one of six kingdoms of life on earth. Discover the greatest story ever told - the story of the animal kingdom and the eight major phyla that make up 99 percent of animals.

Image of Purple Sponge
Sponges
Image of an Anemone
Cnidarians
Image of a Flatworm
Flatworms
Image of an Annelid
Annelids
Image of Crab
Marine Arthropods
Image of Dragonfly
Terrestrial Arthropods
Image of Squid
Molluscs
Image of Starfish
Echinoderms
Image of Chimpanzee
Chordates

A Force to be Reckoned With

Vimeo Embed with Start/End Times

Creature

Sunflower Star Pycnopodia helianthoides

The sunflower star is one of approximately 2000 sea star species worldwide. It’s the largest sea star with the most arms. Those arms have given it the common name: sunflower

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Sunflower Starfish

Lesson Plan

Artful Echinoderms

Engaging Students with Echinoderm Phenomena, Adaptations, and Art

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Artful Echinoderms

Did You Know?

Sunflower Stars Wanted

It’s not your typical “wanted” poster, but one of our team members spotted this on the coast north of San Francisco.

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pycposter

Teacher

Trish Finerty, Biology, MidMichigan College

“Students see the impacts of climate change firsthand as they collect data on water quality, conduct coral bleaching surveys, and observe the reef and its inhabitants.”

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Trish Spikey

Scientist

Andrew Kim

“Being in the kelp cathedral” was the closest to a spiritual experience that Andrew had ever had.

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Urchin Eyes

Blog

Pycnopodia, Sea star Wasting Disease Revisited

The culprit behind sea star wasting disease

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sunflower star

Resources

Children with pencils at desks in classroom
Lesson Plans
A hand holding a pencil
Factsheets
Open book on shelf
Readings