11

Lesson 11 of 84 ยท Genetics

Experiment

Darwin and the Galapagos

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

  • recessive
  • mutation

Materials Needed

  • markers
  • ruler
  • scissors
  • microscope (or magnifying glass)

Safety First

  • Protect your work surface with newspaper or plastic.
  • Adult supervision recommended.
  • Do not taste any materials.

Steps

Step 1 โ€” Read

Read and 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.

Step 2 โ€” Do

Build your model using the materials provided.

Step 3 โ€” Observe

Look for patterns in your observations.

Step 4 โ€” Record

Make a graph or chart showing your results.

Check Your Understanding

Question 1

1 of 3

Who is known for the theory of natural selection?

Darwin and the Galapagos โ€” Genetics | 8th Grade Science | LittleActivity | LittleActivity