Image
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.
Features
Creature
Nautilus
Almost everyone is familiar with the shape and design of a chambered nautilus. But most people don’t know that nautiluses are cephalopods. In fact they’re very ancient cephalopods – so ancient that they’re often called living fossils
Nautilus
Almost everyone is familiar with the shape and design of a chambered nautilus. But most people don’t know that nautiluses are cephalopods. In fact they’re very ancient cephalopods – so ancient that they’re often called living fossils
Lesson Plan
What's The Bigger Picture
In this lesson, students combine art and science to interpret and illustrate graphical art. In this way, students will build understanding of the power of data infused art to convey the "bigger picture" of climate change.
What's The Bigger Picture
In this lesson, students combine art and science to interpret and illustrate graphical art. In this way, students will build understanding of the power of data infused art to convey the "bigger picture" of climate change.
Image
Did You Know?
Chambered Nautilus Threatened by Ornamental Shell Trade
You might have seen chambered nautilus shells for sale at curio, shell and jewelry shops. People buy these for decoration in their homes or for wearing. But the ornamental shell trade threatens nautilus populations
Chambered Nautilus Threatened by Ornamental Shell Trade
You might have seen chambered nautilus shells for sale at curio, shell and jewelry shops. People buy these for decoration in their homes or for wearing. But the ornamental shell trade threatens nautilus populations
Image
Teacher
John M Gregg
John Gregg’s classroom is a giant warehouse where everyone is welcome. The scope of John’s fossil collection takes your breath away. The best part is that John shares stories about all the fossils. Mollie is one of his favorites. She is a rare fossil of an ancient sea turtle, like a leatherback that would eat ammonites. She even has a mosasaurus bite in her shell.
John M Gregg
John Gregg’s classroom is a giant warehouse where everyone is welcome. The scope of John’s fossil collection takes your breath away. The best part is that John shares stories about all the fossils. Mollie is one of his favorites. She is a rare fossil of an ancient sea turtle, like a leatherback that would eat ammonites. She even has a mosasaurus bite in her shell.
Image
Scientist
Rachel Arbor, CEO & Founder of Gaia Scholastic and NY State Lead for SubjectToClimate
“In researching educators, I found a consistent message: teachers want to teach environmental literacy and climate content but lack the resources and training to do it confidently.”
Rachel Arbor, CEO & Founder of Gaia Scholastic and NY State Lead for SubjectToClimate
“In researching educators, I found a consistent message: teachers want to teach environmental literacy and climate content but lack the resources and training to do it confidently.”
Image
Blog
Cephalopod Ink
Cephalopods use ink to avoid predation: they ink and jet away under cover of the ink, creating a “smoke screen.” This move is often followed by unpredictable escape moves.
Cephalopod Ink
Cephalopods use ink to avoid predation: they ink and jet away under cover of the ink, creating a “smoke screen.” This move is often followed by unpredictable escape moves.
Image
