Lesson 49 of 84 · Cells
Experiment⭐ 30 XP🌿 Wild JungleDarwin and the Galapagos (Part 3)
Darwin and the Galapagos (Part 3).
🎯 Your mission
Predict it first. Then prove yourself right (or wrong).
⚡ The twist
Living things break the rules of non-living things — find the rule they break.
Mind = Blown
🌳 Trees can talk to each other through underground fungus networks.
Make a hypothesis first
Predict: what will happen to the plant if you change the water?
What You'll Learn
Charles Darwin observed that finches on different Galapagos Islands had different beak shapes suited to their food sources. This helped him develop the theory of natural selection.
Key Words
- dominant
- recessive
- mutation
Materials Needed
- coins (for Punnett squares)
- tape
- index cards
Safety First
- Use materials only as directed in the experiment.
- Keep small objects away from young children.
- Work in a well-ventilated area when using vinegar or other strong-smelling substances.
Steps
Read about Cells and write down three key facts.
Model mitosis using pipe cleaners as chromosomes. Show each phase: prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase.
Look for patterns in your observations.
Make a graph or chart showing your results.
Check Your Understanding
Question 1
1 of 3Who is known for the theory of natural selection?
Where you see this in real life
Your own body is doing this thousands of times every second.
Stretch Challenge
Try this in real life this week.
Find one thing about your body that's different from a friend's. Wonder why.
For the dinner table
“Tell me something you noticed about your own body today.”
Next Smart Experiment
We'll pick an experiment that matches exactly how you're thinking right now.
Share this experiment
Send it to a parent who's looking for a 10-minute kitchen science win.
Checkout complete lesson on Cells for 6th Grade
Get the full Cells track as a printable PDF — all lessons, worksheets, and answer keys.