Beak Performance AQA KS3 - Evolution - Science

A fun, evolution practical based on Darwin’s finches to get across the concept of natural selection.

It is often hard to find a practical to go with the subject of evolution.
This is a new take on a familiar practical in which students are given different ‘beaks’ (broken fork, tweezers, spoon, and clothes peg) and they work in groups to pick up different ‘foods’ (marshmallows, rice, marbles and elastic bands).

This is related to Darwin’s famous finches and how they adapted to different environments and food.

The idea is that some new (Photoshopped) finches have been discovered: Spoonybill, Brokenforkybeak, Tweezerbeak and Peggybeak, all with accompanying Latin names. Students get into groups, choose their species and see how many food items they can pick up in one minute before moving on to the next food item.

• introductory PowerPoint (light and dark versions) , including results table and timers.
• student recording sheets
• a home study for concluding
• instructions
• detailed science technician instructions
• a worksheet to use in class to help with concluding