Human Evolution educational materials for home learning

Homo neanderthalensis pop-out figurines

With COVID-19 lockdown in place, it can be challenging for parents to keep children mentally stimulated and entertained with home education.

A change of routine away from school is hard, but a variety of educational resources can help to keep children interested in learning.

Professor Tracy Kivell and Dr Matthew Skinner have created several interactive educational materials aimed at primary and secondary school children to improve their understanding of human evolution.

The materials were developed to be both engaging and scientifically accurate and to provide education on the history of human ancestors (hominins). The resources particularly highlight the critical role that hominin fossils found in Africa have played in understanding how humans evolved.

These materials were designed in collaboration with illustrator Caitlin Hansen and include four interactive activity sheets, one for each of the four different species of fossil human ancestor (hominin), as well as a human evolution boardgame and activity book.

The downloadable print files include:

  • An ‘Exploring human evolution’ activity book, including several activities (e.g. colouring sheets, maze, word scramble, matching activities).
  • A ‘Find your path of evolution!’ board game, complete with pop-out die and six player pieces.
  • Fact and activity sheets for four different species of fossil human ancestors (hominins): Australopithecus sediba, Homo neanderthalensis, Homo naledi and Homo habliis. With pop-out figurines and fold-up landscapes for each.
Students at the Tanzania National Museum and House of Culture, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania using the educational materials. Photo credit: A. Gidna
Students at the Tanzania National Museum and House of Culture, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania using the educational materials. Photo credit: A. Gidna

By clicking on the links below, you can freely access and download all of these educational materials to print and share.

"Find your path of evolution!" boardgame, complete with pop-out di and six player pieces.
‘Find your path of evolution!’ boardgame, complete with pop-out die and six player pieces.
Activity sheets for Australopithecus sediba and Homo neanderthalensis, each with a pop-out figurine, fold-up landscape and fact sheet.
Activity sheets for Australopithecus sediba and Homo neanderthalensis, each with a pop-out figurine, fold-up landscape and fact sheet.
Activity sheets for Homo naledi and Homo habliis, each with a pop-out figurine, fold-up landscape and fact sheet.
Activity sheets for Homo naledi and Homo habliis, each with a pop-out figurine, fold-up landscape and fact sheet.
'Exploring human evolution' activity book, including several activities (e.g. colouring sheets, maze, word scramble, matching activities).
‘Exploring human evolution’ activity book, including several activities (e.g. colouring sheets, maze, word scramble, matching activities).

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