I use Shape of Life to educate our volunteer instructors and as background knowledge for our lessons to visitors.
Shape of Life offers classroom media and resources depicting the evolution of the animal kingdom on planet earth. Explore animal adaptation, animations, and behaviors along with the amazing scientists who bring their stories to life. Discover a rich selection of NGSS materials including lesson plans, readings, illustrations and activities that inspire a deeper dive into animal phyla. Shape of Life content is FREE to students and educators all over the world.
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This Month We're Tackling Climate Crisis!
The Climate Crisis is dramatically threatening the diversity of animal life on earth. This diversity, which includes humans, has been evolving for millions of years.
New Resources
What's the Bigger Picture?
Posted on March 17th, 2020
Using the Power of Art to Teach Science
In this lesson, students combine art and science to interpret and illustrate graphical art. In this way, students will building understanding of the power of data infused art to convey the "bigger picture" of climate change.
NEW LESSON PLAN: Science in Action
Posted on January 8th, 2020
Explore Scientists' Connection to the Three Dimensions of NGSS with our new lesson plan.
Students will get the 'real scoop' on what it's like to think like a scientist. Our new Science in Action lesson plan features NGSS aligned concepts in Three Dimensional Learning through Science and Engineering Practices (SEP's), Crosscutting Concepts (CC's) and Disciplinary Core Ideas (DCI's).
Three Dimensions helps students see the interconnections between disciplines including science, critical thinking, math and English Language Arts (ELA) skills.
Featured Teacher
Nancy FitzGerald, Renaissance Woman
Posted on March 16th, 2020
We first heard of Nancy through an interview with our Featured Scientist, George Matsumoto, at MBARI. Nancy, George told us “is a standout educator” who participated in MBARI’s EARTH professional development program.
When George showed us the lesson plan and accompanying book based upon Nancy’s collaboration with artist Jill Pelto, our jaws dropped!
Featured Scientist
George Matsumoto
Posted on January 27th, 2020
Senior Education and Research Specialist, Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute
How does a guy, wanting little more than to scuba dive in the ocean as a college student, discover a new species of comb jellies (ctenophores)!?
Discover how George’s expertise (and mad diving skills) continue to enrich our understanding of the world of ctenophores.
Featured Creature
American Lobsters are Trying to Stay Out of Hot Water
Posted on February 28th, 2020
Climate Crisis and the American Lobster
The American lobster, an icon for our seafood in the U.S., may be in trouble because of climate change. How is this coveted epicurean pleasure threatened?
Warming water appear to be particularly impacting the early life stages of American lobster. Before they're even able to move to cooler waters, Larval and juvenile lobsters, even more sensitive to water temperatures, don't stand a chance as they're too young to move to cooler waters.
Blog
Acidification – Faster Than You Think
Posted on March 11th, 2020
Tiny calcium carbonate shells tell us how fast the ocean is acidifying.
We were alarmed by recent headlines that said, “Waters Off California Acidifying Faster Than Rest of Oceans, Study Shows.” We live in coastal California. Acidification is a drop in the ocean’s pH that occurs when excess carbon dioxide in the atmosphere dissolves in seawater. The study featured in the news article examined the fossil shells of foraminifera, a simple-shelled planktonic organism that uses calcium carbonate to build its shells. Researchers found a 20% reduction in calcification in the shells of foraminifera in the last century. Shell-building marine animals need the carbonate ions from the ocean and they’re becoming scarcer with a more acid ocean.
Crisis in Australia
Posted on February 25th, 2020
No one could be happier than us that Australia has finally had a reprieve from the devastating fires.
A massive dump of water - more than 400mm (15.7in) in some places - caused flooding and transport chaos, but also helped finish off many of the fires.
While we appreciate the rain, the world has endured a horrendous loss with the destruction of homes and habitats on a massive scale the likes of which we have never seen with an inestimable number of animals killed. The rescue of Australia’s charismatic megafauna, the koalas and kangaroos, have captured our hearts.
News
Mandatory Climate Change Education
Posted on March 11th, 2020
Last year Italy became the first country to make climate change education compulsory in schools; in January New Zealand introduced climate change curriculum. But around the globe many students taking part in the growing global youth climate movement say they are being failed by their schools. We aim to help teachers with more resources featured on our website. Let’s do a better job!
Rapid Ocean Acidification
Posted on February 3rd, 2020
There was an asteroid that killed the dinosaurs and acidified the ocean in less then 1000 years. That’s comparable to what’s happening today. We may see equivilant mass extinctions in the ocean in the next 100 years if we don't STOP emitting greenhouse gases at our current rate. Pretty scary, huh?