ISTAT Earth Science: In the News

April, 2001

Introduction

Scope & Sequence

Course Outlines

Human evolution is in the news again, with the discovery of a new human-like creature in Kenya. The new findings, reported by Dr. Maeve Leakey, are described in a recent issue of Nature and threaten to further complicate earlier interpretations of human evolutionary history.

This finding was widely reported in the news and several alternative stories are available.

Flat-Faced Man is a puzzle - BBC

Skull an Evolutionary Riddle - San Francisco Chronicle

Skull May Redefine Evolution - AP

This discovery shows science at its most interesting - the conversations and controversies following a new discovery that challenges existing theory and interpretations. It should be noted that Dr. Leakey's interpretation of the skull as a new species is not universally accepted. As this discovery is so new, most of the Web sites referenced below are likely to show versions of the human family tree that do not include the newest proposed member!

Related Web Sites

National Geographic: National Geographic partially sponsored the field work of Dr. Leakey and their Web site has extensive coverage of the find. It includes video of Dr. Leakey.

Evolution devolution: This Why Files article address the general subject of evolution. Originally written in 1999, it begins with the story about the Kansas Board of Education removing evolution from the high school curriculum and discusses the evidence for evolution. It should be noted that since the publication of this particular Why files, the Kansas Board of Education voted to restore evolution to the state science standards.

Human Origins Project: The Smithsonian Institution Web site includes an illustration of the human family tree

Human Evolution: The fossil evidence in 3d: A Web site from the UC Santa Barbara which presents a gallery of photographs of modern primate relatives and fossil ancestors. The site requires Shockwave.

Fossil Hominids: The Evidence for Human Evolution: The Talk.origins web site on human evolution. Includes background material on hominids and hominid fossils, frequently asked questions, and references. Includes a special set of pages debunking creationist arguments.

Evolution: Online exhibits from the UC Berkeley Museum of Paleontology presents evolution in its historical context.

Related Classroom Activities and Resources

Human Evolution - You Try It: This PBS Web site has an online activity (requires Shockwave) and background information on Lucy and the Leakey family. A nice complement to the story.

Ape-Man: Adventures in Human Evolution: A BBC Web site, similar in content to the PBS site above.

Science News Write-Up: Write a report on this article for your class! Here is a suggested outline to help you organize the report.

News Archive

Earth Science News Archive: We are building an archive of these news features. Feel free to browse earlier articles and resources!