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Shape of Life provides free teaching resources 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.
Features
Creature
Bombardier beetle
Beetles come in a diversity of shapes and sizes. Ladybugs may be the most familiar and beloved beetle but there are 350,000 described species of beetles. That means there are likely thousands more that scientists don’t know about.
Bombardier beetle
Beetles come in a diversity of shapes and sizes. Ladybugs may be the most familiar and beloved beetle but there are 350,000 described species of beetles. That means there are likely thousands more that scientists don’t know about.
Lesson Plan
TERRESTRIAL ARTHROPOD ADAPTATIONS + ENGINEERING DESIGN
Students explore the extraordinary adaptions and diversity of terrestrial arthropods through short Shape of Life videos and student-centered activities in the 5E Instructional Model.
TERRESTRIAL ARTHROPOD ADAPTATIONS + ENGINEERING DESIGN
Students explore the extraordinary adaptions and diversity of terrestrial arthropods through short Shape of Life videos and student-centered activities in the 5E Instructional Model.
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Scientist
Dr. Jessica Ware, Entomologist
Dr. Jessica Ware is an Associate Curator in the Division of Invertebrate Zoology and Associate Curator and Principal Investigator, Institute for Comparative Genomics at the American Museum of Natural History.
Dr. Jessica Ware, Entomologist
Dr. Jessica Ware is an Associate Curator in the Division of Invertebrate Zoology and Associate Curator and Principal Investigator, Institute for Comparative Genomics at the American Museum of Natural History.
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Did you Know?
The Building Mastery of Termites
This gigantic termite mound acts as a chimney which regulates air flow in an elaborate termite nest below ground. How can a bunch of tiny insects create such a large and complicated structure?
The Building Mastery of Termites
This gigantic termite mound acts as a chimney which regulates air flow in an elaborate termite nest below ground. How can a bunch of tiny insects create such a large and complicated structure?
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Blog
Can We Stop the Insect Apocalypse?
Do you notice that there are fewer insects? We may not notice, but scientists certainly do and they’re sounding the alarm. A headline in the New York Times reads, “The Insect Apocalypse Is Here. What does it mean for the rest of life on Earth?” The May 2020 National Geographic Cover says, Insects are disappearing at alarming rates. That could be disastrous for the planet.
Can We Stop the Insect Apocalypse?
Do you notice that there are fewer insects? We may not notice, but scientists certainly do and they’re sounding the alarm. A headline in the New York Times reads, “The Insect Apocalypse Is Here. What does it mean for the rest of life on Earth?” The May 2020 National Geographic Cover says, Insects are disappearing at alarming rates. That could be disastrous for the planet.
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