Sexual Selection: the Dating Game
This ARKive game teaches students the main principles of sexual selection and the difference between intrasexual and intersexual selection. Using species from ARKive as examples, students discover why some animals have ornaments to attract mates (intersexual selection) while others have weapons to fight for mates (intrasexual selection).
Guess Zoo
Guess Zoo is fun animal guessing game, produced by ARKive, that can be used to introduce or support several lesson themes, for example species diversity, adaptations, habitats and classification. Using a set of species cards, students have to work out what the animal on a card is by asking each other questions about it's…
Marvellous Mini-beasts: Design a Species (Age 7-11)
In this activity, produced by ARKive, children learn about the concept of adaptation. They create and design a new species of mini-beast and learn how different species are adapted to survive in particular habitats. The activity could be undertaken in class or set as a homework activity. This creative activity is designed to teach…
Dinner at the Reef: Food Chains (Age 7 - 11)
Published by the ARKive Project, this fun and interactive game explores food chains in a marine environment, predator-prey relationships and the fine balance of an ecosystem. The resources include teachers notes and students activity sheets.
Newly Discovered Species (Age 11-14)
Produced by ARKive, this resource teaches Key Stage Three children about biodiversity and classification whilst developing skills in independent research, collaboration and scientific thinking. It also gets students thinking about how scientists plan expeditions and surveys. A presentation introduces biodiversity and explores…
Design a Conservation Programme: Graphic Science (Ages 14-16)
In this ARKive activity, students research and design their own conservation programme to learn about the importance of biodiversity as well as the economic benefits and services ecosystems provide. Using examples of successful conservation programmes within the UK Overseas Territories, students learn about the fine balance of an…
Endangered Species Bingo (Age 7-11)
Produced by ARKive, this engaging activity introduces students to the concept of endangered species and what it means when a species becomes extinct. After a class discussion about endangered species and the different endangered statuses, knowledge is reinforced by playing Endangered Species Bingo. The 'caller' has a set…
Adaptations to Arid Climates (Age 11-14)
In this ARKive resource, students learn about how different animals and plants are adapted to surviving in arid habitats. Working in groups, students design and carry out an experiment aimed at testing the effectiveness of different adaptations in reducing water loss. Using a worksheet as guidance, students also compare species…
Opposable Thumbs (Age 11-14)
In this resource, produced by ARKive, students explore the role of the opposable thumb in primates and look at how this adaptation helps many different species in accomplishing tasks essential for survival. A presentation introduces the definition of an opposable thumb and looks at species that have this adaptation and the purposes…
Classification
In these two Key Stage Three activities from the ARKive collection, students learn about why species are classified, the ways in which this can be done and the key characteristics of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish and insects. In the first activity, students play the Guess Zoo game to help them understand the differences…
5/5- Publication year: 2010 to date
- Game
Biodiversity Hospital
In this ARKive activity, students work in medical teams and balance competing priorities for the conservation of an endangered species and devise a ‘treatment’ plan. Students learn the importance of biodiversity and species conservation, the fine balance of the ecosystem and how to measure competing priorities.
- 5/5
- Publication year: 2010 to date
- Activity sheet
Who Wants to Be a Zoologist?
Produced by ARKive, a database of stunning natural history images, this activity is designed to teach students aged 11-14 about the identifiable features of different types of animals and how they are classified. The activity is also suitable for students aged 14-16 and beyond. Using a quiz format, students use their knowledge…
Turtle Life Cycle (Age 7-11)
This resource produced by ARKive supports the teaching of life-cycles at Key Stage Two. It looks at mammals, amphibians, reptiles and plants and finds similarities between the life cycles of animals and plants within each group, as well as some of the similarities and differences between these groups. There is a focus on the…
Galapagos Conservation (Ages 16-19)
From ARKive, these resources help students to learn about the Galapagos Islands, their biodiversity and conservation. Through a series of activities, students look at: • the scientific history and importance of the Galapagos Islands • the species that inhabit the islands including the concept of endemic species •…
Exploring the World's Biodiversity
Produced by ARKive, this series of lessons allows students to learn about the variety of species around the world using the maps and species fact cards included in the support materials. By learning the definitions of biodiversity, species, habitat and ecosystem, students understand the importance of each concept and draw relationships…
- 5/5
- Publication year: 2010 to date
- Activity sheet
Human Impact on the Environment (Age 14-16)
From Arkive, this presentation and activity are designed to teach students aged 14-16 about the concept of human impacts on the environment. The presentation explains how human impacts can directly affect species survival, using plastic waste as an example. The activities then encourage students to consider how the impact of plastic…
Adaptations for Movement (Age 11-14)
Produced by ARKive, this creative activity is designed to teach students aged 11-14 years about the theory of adaptation. It does this by looking specifically at animals' adaptations for movement through different types of habitats. Students learn the definition of adaptation and why animals need adaptations to move successfully…
What Is an Endangered Species? (Age 7 - 11)
From ARKive, this creative activity is designed to teach 7-11 year olds about endangered species, what it means to be endangered and what causes a species to become endangered. It also features examples of conservation in action and ideas for how the students can help. After a presentation, each student is given an Endangered…
ARKive on Tour
Produced by ARKive, these materials are designed to teach students aged 11-14 about the variety of habitats worldwide and the diversity of species found in each habitat. The activity also highlights topics including interdependence, adaptation and how species evolve specialised features. Working in groups, students are allocated…
Animal Classification
Produced by ARKive, in this activity students classify animals into broad groups (vertebrates and invertebrates, amphibian, bird, fish, mammal, reptile). In the second section of the activity students are encouraged to use the ARKive website to find out how different species are adapted for the environment they live in.
- 4/5
- Publication year: 2010 to date
- Presentation
Human Impact on the Environment (Age 11-14)
From Arkive, this presentation and activity are designed to teach students aged 11-14 about the concept of human impacts on the environment. The presentation explains how human impacts can directly affect species survival, using plastic waste as an example. The activities then encourage students to consider how the impact of plastic…
Invasive Species (Age 11-14)
This resource from Arkive allows students to investigate the impacts that invasive species have on the environment, the effects that they have on native species and habitats, and the characteristics that make certain species good invaders. The activity looks at the different ways in which invasive species can potentially be controlled…
Biodiversity and Evolution (Age 14-16)
Produced by ARKive, these materials encourage students to gain an understanding of biodiversity, evolution and Darwin’s theory of natural selection. By investigating biodiversity and the process of evolution students learn how traits beneficial for survival are selected for and genetically passed on to successive generations. Students…
Sizing Up Species (Age 7 - 11)
Produced by ARKive, this series of activities is designed to teach children about measurement and the different sizes of animal and plant species. Children compare their estimates of a species’ length to its actual dimensions and compare it to their own heights. In the first session, children work individually or in pairs…
Plants (Age 7-11)
This resource, from ARKive, is designed to teach students aged 7-11 years about the main parts of a plant and their primary functions. Children complete a worksheet-based activity in which they must label and colour the main plant parts. This includes listing the function of each part. Children learn about some of the different…
Species Bingo (Age 7-11)
This is a Bingo activity from Arkive which can be used outside the classroom. Children are asked to circle living things they see on their sheet whilst on a field trip or nature walk. If they get four in a row they can shout 'Bingo'. This leads to a discussion on where the different species were found which can lead onto…
Animal Symmetry (Age 7-9)
Produced by ARKive this resource aimed at Key Stage Two is a collection of eight animal symmetry worksheets. Children are asked to complete the reflection of various animals to show that they exhibit reflective symmetry. Each sheet also includes an image of the animal and key facts about it. The resource uses four animals from…
Biodiversity and Evolution (Age 16-18)
From ARKive, this hands-on activity is designed to remind post-16 students about the concepts of biodiversity, evolution and Darwin’s theory of natural selection. By investigating biodiversity and the process of evolution students learn how traits beneficial for survival are selected for and genetically passed on to successive…
Temperate Rainforest in the Pacific Northwest (Age 7-11)
Produced by ARKive, these materials include a series of activities that introduce children to the plants and animals of the temperate rainforest in the Pacific Northwest (USA). Children conduct a hands-on investigation of the living things in a small local ecosystem, catalogue their findings and then compare their findings to…
Darwin's Finches
Produced by ARKive in this resource students observe images of different species of finches from the Galapagos Islands. The activity supports students in producing a simple key.
Endangered Species Egg Decorating (Age 7-11)
This resource, produced by ARKive, combines art and science to create models of endangered species. Children choose their favourite threatened species and study their key features. They then decorate an egg to look like their chosen endangered animal and present their completed design to the rest of the class, explaining why it is…
Evolution - Peppered Moth
In this activity from ARKive students observe images and video material (with web access) of pale and dark forms of peppered moth. The activity uses the relative number of pale and dark forms in different environments as a model for evolution.