Darwin's Finches: Evolution and Natural Selection Lab

 

Tested Studies in Laboratory Teaching, 2016, Volume 37

Kimberly S. Orrell, Laurel S. Rodgers, & Karen R. Andersen

Abstract

This lab demonstrates how changes in environmental conditions can result in the evolution of a species. Students are introduced to the research of Peter and Rosemary Grant, which documents rapid evolutionary changes in the ground finches of Daphne Major. To illustrate natural selection and evolution in action, students will become finches, with each student representing one of four beak types. The students make hypotheses and predictions about how the different beaks will affect his/her ability to forage for food, and test those predictions by using their beaks to collect different kinds of seeds. Students graph their data to evaluate their predictions.

Keywords:  evolution, natural selection, microevolution, Darwin’s Finches, macroevolution, adaptive radiation

Boston University (2015)