The poster explains about the life and work of Carl Linnaeus, the father of classification. This is part of a series of poster featuring historical scientific figures.

This worksheet in this resource introduces students to the topics of classification and binomial nomenclature. The idea of hierarchy is illustrated, before explaining Linnaeus’s system of classification and the terms kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus and species. There is also a useful introduction to the use of Greek and Latin vocabulary in science. Suggestions are made for more activity-based lessons in the detailed teachers' notes.

In any habitat, food is limited - animals with variations allowing them to take advantage of available foods will be more likely to survive. Animals with the most helpful adaptations will be the most likely to live long enough to pass their genes on to the next generation. This activity will allow you to explore the wide variety of beak types that can be seen within the bird population, as well as developing an understanding of the way in which beak shape is related to the available food sources within an environment.

Carl Linnaeus was a Swedish botanist, physician and zoologist who developed the modern system of naming animals and plants (binomial nomenclature). He is considered to be the "father of taxonomy". But how much do you know about his life, career and contributions to science? Through this worksheet, students will develop research and presentation skills, will learn about the topics of classification and taxonomy, and will understand the importance of Linnaeus's work to science.

Aimed at primary level this resource contains background information and fact sheets about the lives and work of prominent scientists in history. Linking to topics related to plants, biodiversity and classification it contains mini-biographies of the scientists: Carl Linnaeus, Charles Darwin, Alfred Russel Wallace and Joseph D Hooker.

The Linnaean collections hold many type specimens (the first member of species to be scientifically described) for taxonomic study. Making use of the Linnaean collection online, this worksheet focuses on Hymenoptera (including bees, wasps and ants). It looks at the importance of the hymenopterans, particularly the honey bee, both ecologically and economically, and studies their taxonomic rank.

In 1868, a biologist named Freidreich Meischer carried out research which indicated that the nucleus of cells contains a material which he called nuclein. It was not until much later, in the 1940s, that deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) was recognised as the carrier of the genetic code. The human genome consists of around 6 billion base pairs. An important factor of DNA is that it is able to make copies of itself, or replicate. Using our Discovering DNA activity, extract DNA from a plant, or even yourself, using simple materials like washing up liquid and water!

So, how rich is your habitat? There are many methods by which to measure biodiversity (kick sampling, for example), but how best to do this in a classroom? The purpose of this practical is to use a simple and convenient model of the real environment in order to understand the principles of random sampling and how to estimate biodiversity. You will use different coloured sugar balls to represent different species. A unique (and tasty) way to put Simpson's Diversity Index to the test

The poster explains the life and work of Charles Darwin, and his theory of evolution through natural selection. This is part of series of posters featuring historical scientific figures.

Looks at: kingdoms, domains, binomial nomenclature, taxonomy, phylogeny, keys

This module uses Darwin’s well-known observations of the Galápagos finches and his less well-known, but nonetheless crucial, work on domestic pigeons to explore and investigate fundamental ideas in genetics and evolution. This module examines Darwin’s legacy for contemporary science and our current understanding of inheritance mechanisms, natural selection, artificial selection, and speciation. Darwin’s explanations, the work of early geneticists and current biological research are examined using a combination of problem-based enquiry, hands-on activities and contemporary case study.

Looks at: the definition and theory of evolution, variation (continuous and discontinuous), speciation, adaptation

A resource pack looking at how plants and animals are named, the importance of binomial names for the international understanding of science and how to use an identification key.

This module, inspired by the work of Charles Darwin and his American correspondent Mary Treat, considers adaptation and competition in the context of carnivorous plants. This module also uses carnivorous plants and their habitats as a stepping-stone for exploring broader ecological concepts, in particular the structure of an ecosystem and predator-prey relationships. Students will engage in Darwin inspired activities with living specimens through inquiry-based learning.

Looks at: species, habitat, distribution, measuring biodiversity, biodiversity under threat

Looks at: why we conserve, types of conservation, climate change, zoos, International Conservation Agreements

This module uses barnacles as the basis for students to learn the principles of classification, taxonomy and phylogeny. Darwin took eight years to study every known fossil and living barnacle and his work forms the basis upon which the serious study of barnacle classification and evolution has been based. In this module students will study barnacle morphology, life histories and life styles as Darwin did. Recent work using genetic and molecular evidence and scanning electron microscopy shows how some of the key difficulties in drawing the phylogenetic tree of barnacles have been resolved very recently by systematists and how some new questions have been raised.

This worksheet looks at speciation, dimorphic and polymorphic species and Batesian mimicry. In Batesian mimicry a palatable species mimics an unpalatable one, thus protecting itself from predation. Through a series of questions based on the text, the resource explores this in detail and looks at the following areas: • the principles of evolution by natural selection • the importance of Bates’, Wallace’s and Darwin’s contributions to science • the influence of genetic and environmental factors on variation • the effect of linkage on variation

Our Life Cycles Discovery Kit has been designed to help teachers cover the topic of life cycles with their students. The Activity Pack uploaded here contains a variety of activities, suitable for inside and outside the classroom environment. Some of the activities use the apparatus provided in our Discovery Kit, but others are stand alone and can be carried out with basic classroom equipment. Unfortunately we no longer offer the Discovery Kits out to schools, however many of these activities can still be done with readily available equipment!

The Linnean Society of London, the world’s oldest active biological society, is keen to interest the general public in its collections, history and work. One way to do this would be to produce an attractive, educational calendar. Through this worksheet, students will cover the topics of classification and taxonomy, will understand the importance of Linnaeus's work and the Linnaean collection to science, and will develop research and presentation skills.

Our Classification Discovery Kit has been designed to help teachers cover the tricky topic of classification with their students. The Activity Pack uploaded here contains a variety of activities, suitable for inside and outside the classroom environment. Some of the activities use the apparatus provided in our Discovery Kit, but others are stand alone and can be carried out with basic classroom equipment. Unfortunately we no longer offer the Discovery Kits out to schools, however many of these activities can still be done with readily available equipment!