Evidence for evolution teaching resources

Worksheets and lesson ideas to challenge students aged 11 to 16 to think hard about the evidence for evolution (GCSE and Key Stage 3)

Sometimes students struggle to understand how a mutation could possibly bring about variation. This video shows some unusual animal mutations. You could then discuss the possible advantages and disadvantages of each mutation to the organism. It is probably worth clarifying that not all mutations result in such large changes! Remember, most mutations are silent, some are deleterious and a few are advantageous. A good example of evolution over a short time period is arsenic resistance in the earthworm

Evolutionary trees

Navigate the tree of life using this animation from the Wellcome trust 

Evidence for evolution through argumentation Evidence for evolution through argumentation

GCSE worksheet and activity looking at the evidence for evolution. Students work in groups to look at some data and then consider whether it supports hypothesis 1, hypothesis 2, both or neither. By using argumentation students are encouraged to justify and articulate their thinking. Click here for more information on how to use argumentation in your science lessons. This lesson was made in collaboration with Ayesha, Claire, Laura, Rownok and Shaun – ATT class of 2015-2016. (PDF)

  1. Adaptation 
  2. Evidence for evolution
  3. Evolution by natural selection 
  4. Bioinformatics
  5. Variation