a. What organisms did you recognize in this clip?
b. According to the clip, what conditions did early life evolve in?
c. What do you think was accurately represented in this clip? What do you think could have been done to make it more scientifically accurate?
d. As technology has become more sophisticated and as more fossils are collected, scientists have been able to piece together a more complete picture of evolution. Have students explore how our theories of the origin and evolution of life have changed over the years as new information became available. What technologies have been used to create a clearer picture of the history of life?
e. This clip shows a fish coming out of water. Presumably, land animals, including amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals evolved from this common ancestor. Have students explore how marine mammals, such as whales and sea lions, and birds such as penguins became adapted to marine habitats. Did these species evolve from a land ancestor, or did these mammals and birds evolve on their own from a water based ancestor? What evidence exists? What does that evidence suggest?
f. Have students create a book, "mural," or other visual representation of evolution of animals from the origins of life until the first land animals emerged, or even through the evolution of humans. The project should illustrate the emergence of the animal phyla and the evolutionary connections between animals.
