Study human history with evolution maps.
Evolution is the scientific model of how the species of man developed over time. Millions of years of evolution bring together the theory that modern man first derived from ape-like ancestors. Additionally, evolution involves all living things -- from plants to animals -- and generated fields of science including biology, archaeology and anthropology. Creating your own evolution map is a wise way to chart out the development of man and present scientific postulations to others.
Instructions
1. Visit your local library or log online to research the history and theory of evolution. Study the characteristics of bipedal primates. Learn the distinctions and order between periods of evolutionary history -- from the age of Australopithecus to the Homo sapiens period.
2. Draw out a rough draft of your map on a 30-by-36-inch sheet of paper. Map out a progression of evolution in a linear map with text and illustrations on the top half of the paper. Categorize each section of the map by 1 million years. Show illustrations -- draw or cut out from books -- of a primate from the Sahelanthropus tchadensis period and label this age as existing 3 million years ago in history. Follow this period by depicting primate illustrations from the Homo habilis age as existing 2 million years ago. Continue until you reach the age of modern man.
3. Draw out a map marking the evolution of the world on the bottom half of the paper. Repeat the linear model as above and mark all five major evolutionary periods from the Permian age to present day. Illustrate each age with images of Pangaea and how the continents split to form what we now know as planet Earth. Include the name of the period -- Triassic Age: 200 million years in the past, for example -- with an image of how the physical look of the planet appeared during this time.
4. Complete a final draft on poster board. Repeat all appropriate images and historical information. Include corrective edits and add detail where necessary to ensure the map is educational and easy to understand.
Tags: million years, existing million, existing million years, half paper
