Exploration is never extinct!
Feel free to contact us:
Darwin 2009
darwin2009@duq.edu
John Pollock
pollock@duq.edu
David Lampe lampe@duq.edu
Darwin 2009 in the Press
Lesson Plans and Activities: Teachers, Parents and Homeschoolers
| Phipps Conservatory | Carnegie Science Center |
| Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium | Natural History Museum |
| National Aviary | Children's Museum |
Veggie Variation
Visit this new exhibit at Phipps Conservatory to learn about the concepts of species, variation, domestication, and artificial selection. Students will observe live examples of the Brassicaceae oleracea species and learn how artificial variations within a species can produce new domesticated plants. Students can participate in the "Mystery Seed" activity where they can plant a mystery variety of basil plant to take home and identify as it grows.
Download Lesson Plan for Grades K-3 (pdf)
Family Trees
At Phipps Conservatory, The Gallery display "Family Trees," combines the ideas of Charles Darwin, Gregor Mendel, and Reginald Punnett. View planted Punnett squares that showcase genetic variability and learn about plant reproduction. Additionally, pre-visit lessons, post-visit lessons, and a staff-lead classroom program have been created to better convey all of these concepts to school groups that sign up in advance.
Download Lesson Plan for Grades 4-12 (pdf)
Download Classroom Experience for Grades 4-12 (pdf)
What Would I Do Without You?
Ever wonder why the Zebra has black and white stripes? It wasn't just a fashion statement. It was for survival! Teach students about co-evolution and adaptation through the ecological relationship of predator-prey. An engaging and entertaining student-interactive game will introduce Darwin's concepts that will be expanded upon in the zoo and the classroom.
Download Lesson Plan for Grades 5-7 (pdf)
Zoo – A Class System
Sometimes it may seem like life is a mess, but scientists have organized all organisms into meaningful categories. Not only that, but this organization led some of the most revolutionary work in Biology, as with Darwin's principle of evolution! Instruct students in the criteria used to construct the taxonomic model, beginning with an exciting, interactive activity that demonstrates how everyday objects can be arranged and allow students to see how both common and exotic animals fit into the same taxonomic system.
Download Lesson Plan for Grades 5-7 (pdf)
Birds of a Feather
This self-guided field trip at the National Aviary teaches students about the concepts of relatedness, species and speciation, adaptation, environmental influences, and taxonomy. Students will visit various birds of prey exhibits and complete a compare/contrast activity that shows the similarities and differences found between birds of prey. Optional “Flitezone” and “Feeding Time” shows help to supplement this field trip.
Download Lesson Plan for Grades 4-7 (pdf)
Unique Beak Physique
You'll never look at beaks the same again after exploring how Darwin's principle of natural selection has shaped the life of birds. Help your students discover how adaptations and favorable traits arose due to environmental factors. Using an interactive model of various beak shapes, students will be able to see how beaks have evolved to perform unique functions.
Download Lesson Plan for Grades K-6 (pdf)
Fleshing Out Fossils
In the Galapagos Islands, Darwin studied fossils of extinct organisms and saw that they looked very similar to living organisms. This led him to realize that all organisms are related and come from common ancestors! Students will actively learn about the connection between anatomy and common descent as they handle and compare/contrast fossils, using the lesson plan as a guide.
Horseshoe Table Activity
Take your students to the “Horse” exhibit and the “Horseshoe Table Activity,” where they can see the differences between horses and their earlier relatives, and learn about how climate changes led to the evolution of the modern horse through a docent-led, hands-on activity. At the end, they can create a craft to take home.
