Biodiversity and Evolution (Age 16 to 18)

From ARKive, this hands-on activity is designed to remind post-16 students about the concepts of biodiversity, evolution and Darwin’s theory of natural selection. By investigating biodiversity and the process of evolution students learn how traits beneficial for survival are selected for and genetically passed on to successive generations. Students are reminded how the shape and structure of the beaks of Darwin’s finches affect the type of food that they are able to eat. Birds with beaks that are better adapted to the food available on a particular island have a better rate of survival. Students are given different implements to use as beaks. They must use these ‘beaks’ to obtain a variety of different types of ‘food’. Students will see which beaks are best adapted for different types of food, and how this can drive survival or extinction, using the finches Darwin observed in the Galapagos Islands as an example. The materials contain teacher notes, student activity sheets and an introductory presentation.

Please note that the ARKive.org website is no longer available, where links are listed for additional information within the resource files.