The Missing Link

Source Institutions

PBS

The Missing Link

In this activity, learners collect, analyze, and interpret information about objects in order to classify them into a cladogram. Use this activity to talk about how scientists classify things.

Preparation Time:: 10 to 30 minutes
Learning Time:: 1 to 2 hours
Estimated Materials Cost:: $5 - $10 per group of students
Age Range:: Ages 8 - 18
Resource Types:: Activity, Lesson/Lesson Plan
Language:: English

Materials List (per group of students)

"Hardware Organism Key" student handout
"Cladogram Basics" student handout
"Nailing Cladistics" student handout
Identical plastic bags with one of each of the materials listed on the "Hardware Organism Key" student handout
11- x 17-inch sheet of paper

Keywords

Subjects

Life Sciences
- Diversity of Life
  - Classification
  - Biodiversity
The Nature of Science
- The Scientific Process
  - Asking Questions
  - Gathering Data
- Science as a Career

Audience

To use this activity, learners need to:

see
read
touch

Learning styles supported:

Involves hands-on or lab activities

Other

Includes alignment to state and/or national standards

Standards Alignment

This resource is part of:

NOVA Education

Access Rights:

Free access

By:

NOVA

Rights:

All Rights Reserved, WGBH Educational Foundation, ©2010