Teaching Evolution using Museum Exhibits

Teacher professional learning

Date/Time:: Wednesday 27 March 2024, 1:30 to 3:30pm
Location:: Melbourne Museum
Cost:: $30 Museum Teachers
$40 for non Museum Teachers

Deepen your knowledge of evolution and explore different pedagogies for use on excursions to Melbourne Museum exhibitions.

Geographical distribution, speciation, adaptation, comparative anatomy, co-evolution, transition fossils, and convergent evolution – learning about evolution relies on understanding a range of concepts and scientific terminology to fully understand the mechanisms which drive evolution by natural selection. Many of these terms can be explored in museum galleries, looking at real world examples and current science research.

Program covers

What language is needed to teach evolution by natural selection
How to use the museum to see real world examples such as; learning about evolution and adaptation via looking at whale skeletons, speciation through examining kangaroos over time.
Techniques to engage students in deeper learning around this topic.

Teachers will be provided

Tours of 600 million years gallery, Triceratops exhibition, Gandel Gondwana Garden and Museum Research Institute exhibition.
Examples of evidence in the galleries.

During this 2-hour professional learning program, teachers will unpack the language needed to teach evolution by natural selection, visit examples of evidence in the galleries, and explore techniques to engage students in deeper learning around this topic.

The program will also include tours of 600 million years gallery, Triceratops exhibition, Gandel Gondwana Garden and Museum Research Institute exhibition.

Curriculum links

Science as a Human Endeavour, for levels 7 to 10
The theory of evolution by natural selection (explaining the diversity of living things and is supported by a range of scientific evidence), for levels 9 to 10