Engaging students through an experiential learning activity has significant positive impacts on their interest, understanding, and knowledge retention. This experiential learning activity incorporates cross-disciplinary elements to enhance student understanding and retention of concepts related to algal evolution and morphology. This exercise is designed for students with basic knowledge of evolution and ecology or students currently enrolled in a phycology course. A pre- and post-test was used to assess concept knowledge in the areas of algal evolution and morphology. During the exercise students handle and examine algal specimens to complete written questions associated with algal morphology and evolution. Once completed, algal specimens were used to create algal pressings and paint. At the conclusion of the exercise, students possessed a greater understanding of the process of algal evolution and a higher proficiency with the morphological identification of algal phyla.
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