Being Human

Using segments from the PBS program The Human Spark, students explore the question “What makes us human?”

Bones of Contention

This interactive activity from NOVA invites you to do the work of scientists and use a database to classify actual fossil records of human ancestors and related species.

Chimp Politics

In this video from the PBS series The Human Spark, host Alan Alda and scientist Franz de Waal observe and compare two alpha-male chimpanzees’ different approaches to sharing at the Yerkes National Primate Research Center in Atlanta.

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Climate and Human Evolution

In this video segment adapted from NOVA: "Becoming Human," learn how the analysis of rock layers and ocean sediments supports the theory that rapid climate change may have jump-started human evolution two million years ago.

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A Day in the Life of a Neanderthal

In this video segment from The Human Spark, host Alan Alda looks at some of the similarities and differences between the Neanderthal way of life and that of modern humans.

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The Developing Brain

This video from The Human Spark illustrates the difference between the brain growth of man’s early ancestors and today’s modern infant.

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Double Immunity

Dr. Stephen O'Brien of the National Cancer Institute discovers a 700-year-old mutation that makes a person resistant to HIV infection. From Evolution: "Evolutionary Arms Race."

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Evolutionary Roots of Language

This video excerpt from NOVA scienceNOW looks at how language and tool-making may have coevolved.

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Evolution of the Eye

Zoologist Dan-Erik Nilsson demonstrates how the complex human eye could have evolved from simple light-sensitive cells. From Evolution: "Darwin's Dangerous Idea."

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Evolving Ideas: Did Humans Evolve?

This video from Evolution explores the evolution of humans from a common ancestor of humans, chimpanzees, and other apes.

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Evolving Ideas: Why Does Evolution Matter Now?

In this video from Evolution, an exploration of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis in the Russian prison system highlights one reason it is important to understand evolution.

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Finding Lucy

This Evolution video segment depicts the landmark hominid fossil finds by Don Johanson and his team in Ethiopia.

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Fossil Evidence of Bipedalism

This video segment adapted from NOVA shows how scientists use the fossil record to trace when early human ancestors and related species began walking on two legs instead of four, and to determine whether they were more apelike or human in appearance.

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Freak-Genomics

In this lesson students will enter the world of the genome, learning about human history and evolution by using video segments from The Human Spark.

Function of Fever

Fevers are a sign of infection, but they may also be part of the cure. This drawing illustrates Matthew Kluger's lizard study, which supports the notion that fever can be beneficial.

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Geneticist Pardis Sabeti

In this video profile adapted from NOVA scienceNOW, learn about geneticist and rock musician Pardis Sabeti, whose innovative insights into natural selection demonstrated how beneficial mutations spread quickly through a population.

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Homo Sapiens Versus Neanderthals

This video segment, adapted from NOVA, explores reasons why Homo sapiens had an advantage over Neanderthals in the pursuit of territory and natural resources.

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Human Chromosome 2

In this video segment adapted from NOVA: "Judgment Day: Intelligent Design on Trial," learn how modern genetics and molecular biology offer compelling support for evolution. The video features an interview with biologist Ken Miller.

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Human Evolution

Students investigate hominid evolution. They learn the difference between a relative and an ancestor, study the emergence of bipedalism, and chart patterns of hominid migration.

Human Nature

This video segment from The Human Spark looks at the ways in which monkeys and apes are similar to humans, not just biologically but mentally and socially.

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