By shifting away from memorization-based instruction, this project will provide students with a hands-on, inquiry-driven learning experience focused on animal adaptations, observation, and analysis. Specifically, students will enhance their critical thinking and scientific reasoning by examining replica animal skulls to study the relationship between unique anatomical structures and survival adaptations. Through research and exploration, they will investigate how an animal’s environment and diet influence skull structure, ultimately designing and sculpting their own animal skulls out of clay. This activity will require students to justify their design choices based on scientific principles, reinforcing their ability to construct evidence-based claims. The Teacher Grant for Innovation will fund the purchase of replica animal skulls from Skulls Unlimited, including specimens such as a Replica Shark Ray Jaw, an Aye-aye Skull, a Desert Tortoise Skull, and various mammal and reptile skulls and teeth.
