Pokémon Science: An Introduction to Mammals using Pokémon!

Mammals are classified into taxonomical groups called "orders." We'll study what traits and behaviors each order shares with the Pokémon we know and love. Students will learn how to compare and contrast these creatures when reading/listening to descriptions, examining pictures, and watching video clips of the fictional characters side by side with real mammals. We'll become pros at using a Venn Diagram as a comparison tool, and we'll try our hand at Dichotomous Keys and Cladograms. Students can also try their hand at designing their own mammalian Pokémon.  Discussion questions, supplementary videos, and worksheets are all included in this course. Because the Pokemon creators love to use mammals as inspirations for their Pokemon creations, this course includes over 100 popular Pokemon and their origins! A great course for Pokemon fans who are interested in learning more about biology, taxonomy, and the tools scientists use to study animals.

Part 1: Introduction - Taxonomy, Classification Systems, Class Mammalia

Part 2: Primates (apes and monkeys)

Part 3:  Dermoptera (flying lemurs), Hyracoidae (hyraxes), Insectivora (insect-eaters), Edentata (toothless mammals), Pholidata (pangolins), Tubulidentata (aardvarks)

Part 4: Carnivora

Part 5: Carnivora continued

Part 6: Cetacea, Sirenia, Pinnipedia (aquatic mammals)

Part 7:  Artiodactyla (even-toed hoofed animals)

Part 8: Perissodactyla (odd-toed hoofed animals), Proboscidea (elephants)

Part 9: Chiroptera (bats)

Part 10: Rodentia (rodents), Lagomorpha (rabbits)

Part 11: Marsupialia (pouched animals), Monotremata (egg-laying mammals)

Part 12: Conclusion