Last week, Berkeley Carroll’s Upper School Human Evolution class traveled to the American Museum of Natural History to explore the Hall of Human Origins and examine fossil specimens up close.

Having studied human evolution in depth, students arrived ready to analyze. They compared fossils and displays to their classroom learning, noting where the exhibit offered a strong foundational overview and thoughtfully critiquing areas where it could go further. 

Inspired by their experience, students have now created a special, student-designed exhibit of their own, currently on display in the Upper School Library.

The exhibit explains what fossils and stone tools reveal about evolution and how species change over time. On view are skull replicas of a Neandertal, Homo erectus, and Paranthropus robustus, offering visitors a tangible look at hominin diversity stretching back over two million years. The display also features examples of early stone technology, including an Acheulean handaxe, an impressive handmade replica crafted by Elsie W.M. ’27.

The exhibit will remain on display through the start of Spring Intensives. Students, and faculty are encouraged to stop by and explore the story of human evolution as told by our very own scholars.

Congratulations and thank you to the exhibit designers:

• Phoenix B. ’26
• Kyan J. ’26
• Gurleen K. ’26
• Jessie-Pearl L. ’27
• Elsie W.M. ’27

View the behind the scenes photos of the exhibit