Featured Content
Featured Teacher
Jennifer Reynolds from the Lovett School
Posted on April 6th, 2018Jeffiner Reynolds NSTA from Shape of Life on Vimeo.
Featured Scientist
What We Can Learn from a Green Ninja
Posted on February 9th, 2018
Everyone thinks about the carbon footprint of their favorite burrito, right? Maybe not—BUT!… Dr. Eugene Cordero, a self-proclaimed “burrito connoisseur,” certainly does. And, he makes it fun for middle school science students to think about the footprint of all kinds of things.
Find out more about how Dr. Cordero turned his love of science and Climate Science Education into an innovative online resource that empowers kids to fight climate change.
Featured Creature
Anomalocaris
Posted on February 26th, 2018
Imagine the oceans 530 million years ago, during the Cambrian Explosion, filled with creatures alien to us today. Anomalocaris (ah-NOM-ah-LAH-kariss), from the Greek meaning “unusual shrimp”, was a major predator of those ancient seas. Fossils from the Cambrian in the Burgess Shale in Canada, and formations in China, Greenland, Australia, and Utah show that this large, ancient shrimp was widespread during this period.
The “unusual shrimp”, which grew up to a six feet long 6’, is the largest animal among the Burgess Shale fossils. Scientific studies of fossil body parts and entire specimens have helped scientists understand Anomalocaris’ mode of moving and its predatory behavior.
New Resource
NEW COLLECTION of Ages of Rock Lesson Plans
Posted on February 26th, 2018
This collection consists of six lesson plans designed to help students construct an explanation of the geologic time scale based on personal connections, science concepts that include Law of Superposition and index fossils and nature of science ideas. The lessons highlight a diversity of scientists and geologic sites that complement Shape of Life videos.
A variety of modalities are engaged that encourage shared exploration with peers. Students go outside and observe the schoolyard, watch videos, create a “geologic site in a cup,” utilize technology for geologic time scale interpretations, work in small groups and participate in whole class discussions throughout the lessons.
Your students will ROCK these lessons!
News
Surf's Up
Posted on April 6th, 2018
Join us and the National Marine Educators Association aboard the Queen Mary in Long Beach, CA on July 15 - 20, 2018 where we'll be Charting a Course for Conservation at the National NMEA Conference.