These activities are designed for teachers and facilitators to help students to look at the world around them and to see how Darwin's legacy lives on today.
Caption Fish fossil specimen. © John Said.
Blue-footed booby, Galápagos Islands, Ecuador.
Worms and birds: Age 11 - 16
Based on an experiment developed by the Wellcome Trust as part of their Survival Rivals educational initiative. This practical investigation demonstrates natural selction in action, based on predator-prey relations.
Student and Teacher Activities
-
Hypothesis: Age 16 - 19
Charles Darwin came up with a new idea - a hypothesis - to explain the origin of species. It is now a theory with a well-established body of evidence behind it. In this activity students are encouraged to develop a hypothesis.
-
Empiricism: Age 16 - 19
Empiricism is based on the principle that truth is derived through sensory experience. Scientific methods, such as controlled experimentation, objectivity and reliable measurements all occur because of an empirical approach that has formed the foundation upon which modern science is based.
-
Thinking walk: Age 8 - 9
This activity encourages students to observe habitats and how different conditions may affect plants that grow in them.
-
Science and religion: Age 16 - 19
Religion and evolution can sometimes seem to be in conflict - but that does not have to be the case. Conflict between science and religion can be avoided if the two are seen as different ways of looking at the world. This activity is designed to encourage students to think about the major differences between religion and science.
Survival of the fittest: Age 8 - 14
This activity will teach students about the advantages of different phenotypes and how environmental challenges play a role in the selection of certain characteristics. It illustratses the idea of 'survival of the fittest' and how certain characteristics enable an animal to survive.
Facilitated Activities
-
Happy families: Age 11 - 18
This activity allows students to think about the principles of classification and the ways in which different species can be related to one another. They can also envisage ways in which certain species may share common ancestors.
-
Draw your own ecosystem: Age 5 - 11
Students will learn about the needs of different species (both plants and animals) and how different habitats present different challenges. They will think about the fine balance of an ecosystem, the symbiosis between species and how survival is dependent on factors, including shelter and the availability of food.
-
Design your own animal: Age 5 - 11
This activity encourages students to think about the characteristics of animals and how the different phenotypes may hold evolutionary advantages to species.
-
Counting camouflage: Age 5 - 14
Students are encouraged to think about different adaptations that species use to survive within their own habitats. They will learn that some species use camouflage as a defence, while others have other methods of defence.
