The goal of the Species 2000 project is to create a validated checklist of all the world's species (plants, animals, fungi and microbes). This is being achieved by bringing together an array of global species databases covering each of the major groups of organisms.

Students consult expert resources to identify organisms observed during a plot study, and then use this research to complete species inventory cards that represent the biodiversity of the area studied.

In this project-based activity, students will work collaboratively to create a field guide of trees in the neighborhood near their school site. After making observations and learning about tree anatomy and physiology, students will develop a page on one species of tree for the class field guide. They will also learn how to use a dichotomous key and develop one to organize the species of trees in the class field guide.

Students access their prior knowledge of the anatomical similarities and differences among modern and fossil organisms by creating a Venn diagram with a partner, which will compare and contrast two organisms. Next, students will complete the online modules found at "What did T. rex Taste Like?" from the University of California Museum of Paleontology, which will explain how a cladogram diagram can be used to show lines of lineage and evolutionary relationships. Students will use a cladogram to infer how a T. rex is related to modern organisms. Lastly, students will construct a written explanation to describe the anatomical similarities and differences between the T. rex and modern organisms based on evidence from the cladograms in a claim-evidence-reasoning format.

In this activity, students are tasked with classifying a group of newly evolved species. Students will create a taxonomic scheme using historical classification protocol and a dichotomous key with illustrations for these organisms.

Students sort lizards by appearances, then generate a phylogenetic tree using the lizards' DNA sequences to evaluate whether species that appear similar are closely related to each other.

This lesson introduces students to the concepts of evolution, specifically the evolution of humans. The goal is to get students to link the concepts learned in their DNA, protein synthesis, and genetics units to their understanding of evolution.