Resources

Evolution House
Teachers' Support Pack

The Evolution House support pack comprises a teachers' guide with student activities for use during, in preparation for, and as follow-up to a visit to the Evolution House at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. It enables a differentiated approach and uses a variety of teaching and learning strategies for the study of plant evolution - a fascinating topic that will appeal to many students.

One of our main objectives is to promote the importance of plants and to encourage an understanding of plant science. Learning about plant evolution, plant adaptations and plant and animal interactions through time enables us to have a clearer understanding of how the diversity of today's plants has come to be.

The pack has been written and produced by staff at the Centre for Science Education, School of Science and Mathematics, Sheffield Hallam University. It can support the teaching of Key Stages 3 and 4 Sc2 (Life Processes and Living Things):

• student activity sheets (suitable for photocopying);

• support notes for teachers;

• pre-visit activities;

• core student activities during a visit;

• a range of linked group activities;

• follow-up activities.

Pre-visit activities
Geological timescale and animal evolution; plant classification; photosynthesis; plant reproduction; variation.

Visit preparation activities
Expert briefing sheets on plants and animals, reproduction, and plant adaptations for life.

Visit activities
Activity sheet on diversity; expert activity sheets on plants and animals, reproduction, and plant adaptations for life.

Post-visit follow-up activities
Activity sheets on time line and making fossils; expert activity sheets on plants and animals, reproduction, and plant adaptations for life.

Pull-out section
Activity sheets on how the air that we breathe today was formed, an expedition through time - the evolution of plants, in the cave.

The pack is available at the Victoria Gate Visitor Centre at Kew or by mail order from:

Mail Order Section
RBG Kew Enterprises Ltd
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Richmond
Surrey TW9 3AB

Tel: +44 (0) 20 8332 5170
Fax: +44 (0) 20 8332 5161

Cheques should be made payable to RBG Kew Enterprises Ltd.
Visa, Mastercard and Amex credit cards are accepted for telephone orders only.

The cost of the pack is £10.00 plus £2.50 postage and packing for orders within the UK.