This webquest simulates natural selection through a competition between student groups representing different finch species. Each group is given a different "tool" like a spoon or fingers to collect beans, representing finding food. Groups collect beans for one minute, with the lowest scoring group becoming extinct. Remaining groups reproduce and the activity repeats until one group remains, demonstrating survival of the fittest. Students write hypotheses, evaluate factors influencing survival, and explain how this connects to Darwin's research on his Galapagos finches.

1. Student Page
[Teacher Page]
Webquest: Darwin
Title For Educators
Introduction Designed by
Task
Process Todd Shanks
Evaluation
Conclusion
Credits Based on a template from The WebQuest Page

2. Student Page
[Teacher Page]
Introduction
Title
Introduction This activity can demonstrate how natural selection works
Task and is an important factor in evolution. The idea is to show
Process how less adapted creatures might die off because of there
lack of something they need to take in their food source.
Evaluation
It’s a simple hour activity that also will help the students be
Conclusion active while driving home the lesson.
Credits

3. Student Page
[Teacher Page]
The Task
Title
Introduction Your are groups of finches who all have different
adaptations to your environment. You must seek and
Task
hunt for food to survive the other groups are your
Process competition. How well do you think you can compete
Evaluation with the other finches given your tool.
Conclusion
1.Write a hypothesis
2.What factors besides the tool your group had came
into play?
3.Write a few paragraphs on how this is connects to
Darwin's experiments.
4.Draw a or find a picture on what your finch might
have looked like given your tool or “beak”.
5.Rate your teammates on cooperation 1-5.
Credits

4. Student Page
[Teacher Page]
The Process
Title 1. First you will need 5 groups of students of equal
Introduction numbers once they are broken up you assign each
Task group an adaptation. In this case they will be knife,
Process
spoon, fork, two toothpicks and two fingers on a
hand. Also each group will have a cup to store their
Evaluation
food in.
Conclusion
2. Head to the taped off square that the teacher has
sent the beans in.
3. Collect as many beans as you can in 1 minute.
4. The group with the least number of beans goes
extinct
5. Count the beans that are left and add 1 bean per
bean left to simulate the next generation
6. Repeat until only one finch family is left
Credits

5. Student Page
[Teacher Page]
Evaluation
Beginning Developing Accomplished Exemplary Score
Title 1 2 3 4
Write Valid Wrote a hypothesis Wrote a hypothesis that Wrote a hypothesis that Wrote a valid sensible,
Introduction hypothesis followed material. made sense followed the testable hypothesis that
material and could be related to the material
proven or disproven and could be plugged
Task into the scientific
method
Process Essay written and makes Essay written makes Easy is to the point Easy is to the point
Under- sense. sense and connects to the makes sense can be makes sense can be
Evaluation standing of
the
learned material connected to the material
and very few spelling
connected to the
material and almost no
connection to and grammatical errors spelling and
Conclusion material grammatical errors
Drawn Drawn properly with the Drawn properly with the Very neatly drawn with
Picture tool incorporated tool in a creative way a creative aspect and
went the extra effort.
Students rated average of Students rated average of Students rated average of Students rated average
cooperation 1 2 3 of 4 if average is 5
there will be a bonus
point.
Credits

6. Student Page
[Teacher Page]
Conclusion
This was to teach all of you how survival of the fittest naturally occurs and how Darwin
Title observed this with his finches. How do your group do did you survive?
Introduction
Task
Process
Evaluation
Conclusion
Credits

7. Student Page
[Teacher Page]
Credits & References
Lesson plan based on a lab from
Title http://www.lessonplansinc.com/biology_lesson_plans_darwin_evolution.php
Introduction
Task
Process
Evaluation
Conclusion
Credits