Dinosaurs and Evolution
Journey to the past and learn how evolution shapes the natural world.
Follow the history of life on Earth
Introduce students of all grade levels to evolution, a key building block of science learning. Explore natural selection and adaptation through resources like family trees, 3D models, and a mock fossil dig site. Using inquiry-driven teaching methods and collection-based discovery, guide students as they trace the evolution of life on Earth.
Dinosaur Toolkit highlights
Use the Field’s dinosaurs—including SUE the T. rex and Máximo the Titanosaur—to learn more about the natural world, past and present.
Dinosaur Family Tree | Dinosaur Toolkit
Examine dinosaur physical traits to identify similarities and differences in their features and construct a system of classification.Lesson PlanGrades 3-5Today's Dinosaurs | Dinosaur Toolkit
Explore evidence in the physical features of living animals and dinosaur fossils to learn what living animal is most closely related to dinosaurs.Lesson PlanGrades 6-8Giants from the Past | Dinosaur Toolkit
Analyze and interpret data about sauropods and build a nonfiction narrative about how this group of dinosaurs evolved over millions of years.Lesson PlanGrades 6-8
Mission to the Mesozoic
Team up with a Field scientist to explore Earth millions of years ago. Together, you’ll identify and photograph different animals and plants in their prehistoric environments.
Mission to the Mesozoic is a single-player game that takes about 30 minutes to complete. The game is best enjoyed on a desktop computer with a mouse.
In-museum exploration
Get the most out of your visit to the Field. Our in-museum activities help your students take a closer look at what’s on display.
Hominid Adaptations | Exploring the Field Guide
Investigate fossil remains of hominids to learn how humans and our relatives evolved over time.ActivityGrades 6-8Who were Dinosaurs? Primer | Dinosaur Toolkit
Uncover the features that all dinosaurs share, and determine whether a mystery species is a dinosaur.Lesson PlanGrades 3-8SUE's World | Dinosaur Toolkit
Use fossils as clues to rebuild a North American landscape from the past and imagine the world where SUE the T. rex lived.Lesson PlanGrades 3-5
Evolution resources
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3D Model: Cryolophosaurus Skull | Dinosaur Toolkit
Use this 3D model to see how scientists reconstruct animals like Cryolophosaurus from the fossil record.
Interactive or AppGrades PK-123D Model: Glacialisaurus Foot | Dinosaur Toolkit
Learn how the first giant dinosaurs like Glacialisaurus moved by exploring this 3D model.
Interactive or AppGrades PK-123D Model: Tyrannosaurus rex | Dinosaur Toolkit
Interact with this 3D model to find out what we can learn about SUE the T. rex's life by looking at its fossils, then test your knowledge
Interactive or AppGrades PK-12Being Big on Land
Learn why being big isn’t always an advantage and find out how mythic creatures like Godzilla and King Kong could never have carried their own weight.
VideoGrades 3-12Dinosaur Family Tree | Dinosaur Toolkit
Examine dinosaur physical traits to identify similarities and differences in their features and construct a system of classification.
Lesson PlanGrades 3-5Everything Has a Purpose | Exploring the Field Guide
Examine why plants and birds have certain features to uncover the relationship between structure and function.
ActivityGrades 3-5Exhibition Investigation Guide
Investigate a museum exhibition using the claim, evidence, reasoning cycle.
ActivityGrades 3-12Giants from the Past | Dinosaur Toolkit
Analyze and interpret data about sauropods and build a nonfiction narrative about how this group of dinosaurs evolved over millions of years.
Lesson PlanGrades 6-8Hominid Adaptations | Exploring the Field Guide
Investigate fossil remains of hominids to learn how humans and our relatives evolved over time.
ActivityGrades 6-8Island Evolution
Discover why islands contain so many unique species.
VideoGrades 6-12Mammal Phylogeny
Discover how scientists classify the diverse mammals found on Earth.
VideoGrades 6-12Mission to the Mesozoic
Find plants and animals across the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous time periods in this online game.
GameGrades 3-8Plate Motion Past and Present | Dinosaur Toolkit
Analyze and interpret data about the structures of Earth’s crust and the fossil record.
Lesson PlanGrades 6-8Pterosaurs and Tape Measures
Investigate the acutal sizes of these famous flying reptiles who lived side by side with dinosaurs.
ActivityGrades 3-8Rise of Dinosaurs | Dinosaur Toolkit
Analyze data from a mock fossil dig to determine the differences and similarities between multiple fossil dig sites.
Lesson PlanGrades 3-5Rock Clocks Primer | Dinosaur Toolkit
Discover how scientists determine the age of rocks and fossils and use those processes to develop a timeline of Earth's history.
Lesson PlanGrades 3-8SUE's World | Dinosaur Toolkit
Use fossils as clues to rebuild a North American landscape from the past and imagine the world where SUE the T. rex lived.
Lesson PlanGrades 3-5Survival of the Birds | Exploring the Field Guide
Infer whether a bird can survive in a specific environment by observing physical features such as beak, feathers, legs, and feet.
ActivityGrades 9-12The Brain Scoop: The Taxonomy of Candy
Scientists use a system called taxonomy to group and categorize living things. What happens when you try to apply taxonomy to candy?
VideoGrades 6-12The Brain Scoop: Tully Monster Mystery Solved!
Learn how researchers discovered the Tully Monster, long believed to be an invertebrate (similar to worms), is actually a vertebrate and more closely related to fish.
VideoGrades 3-12The Field Revealed: Tully Monster
Discover the Tully Monster, the state fossil of Illinois.
VideoGrades 3-12Today's Dinosaurs | Dinosaur Toolkit
Explore evidence in the physical features of living animals and dinosaur fossils to learn what living animal is most closely related to dinosaurs.
Lesson PlanGrades 6-8What are Fossils Primer | Dinosaur Toolkit
Explore how fossils form and discover how scientists know where to find them.
Lesson PlanGrades 3-8Who were Dinosaurs? Primer | Dinosaur Toolkit
Uncover the features that all dinosaurs share, and determine whether a mystery species is a dinosaur.
Lesson PlanGrades 3-8
Acknowledgments
The Griffin Dinosaur Toolkit is part of the Griffin Dinosaur Experience, made possible by generous support from Kenneth C. Griffin.
School learning experiences are supported by ITW.
