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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
The star tunicate (Botryllus schlosseri) a colonial tunicate
"Each member of the colony is an individual animal, but the colony is another individual animal, not at all like the sum of its individuals. Here are two animals, yet the same thing. Which is the animal, the colony or the individual?” The Log from the Sea of Cortez, John Steinbeck and Ed Ricketts
The star tunicate (Botryllus schlosseri) a colonial tunicate
"Each member of the colony is an individual animal, but the colony is another individual animal, not at all like the sum of its individuals. Here are two animals, yet the same thing. Which is the animal, the colony or the individual?” The Log from the Sea of Cortez, John Steinbeck and Ed Ricketts
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.
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Did You Know?
Anchovy Die-Offs
Sometimes very large schools of anchovies come in close to shore and mistakenly swim up harbors where they find a dead end.
Anchovy Die-Offs
Sometimes very large schools of anchovies come in close to shore and mistakenly swim up harbors where they find a dead end.
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Teacher
Trish Finerty, Biology, MidMichigan College
“Students see the impacts of climate change firsthand as they collect data on water quality, conduct coral bleaching surveys, and observe the reef and its inhabitants.”
Trish Finerty, Biology, MidMichigan College
“Students see the impacts of climate change firsthand as they collect data on water quality, conduct coral bleaching surveys, and observe the reef and its inhabitants.”
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Scientist
Karla Palmieri
You need to “be a good cook” who can think creatively to do genetic sequencing work with invertebrates.
Karla Palmieri
You need to “be a good cook” who can think creatively to do genetic sequencing work with invertebrates.
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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.
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