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Beaks As Tools: Selective Advantage in Changing Environments

Fotografía de un ave posada sobre una rama.
Topic
  • Evolution
  • Natural Selection
  • Speciation
  • Science Practices
  • Models & Simulations
Resource Type
  • Activities
  • Labs & Demos
Level
High School — GeneralHigh School — AP/IB
Favorited By
11 Users
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Description

This hands-on activity supports concepts covered in the short film The Beak of the Finch. Students collect and analyze data to learn why even slight variations in beak size can make the difference between life and death.

In their study of the medium ground finches, evolutionary biologists Peter and Rosemary Grant tracked the evolution of beak size twice in an amazingly short period of time due to two major droughts that occurred in the 1970s and 1980s. This activity simulates the food availability during these droughts and demonstrates how rapidly natural selection can act when the environment changes. Students use two different types of tools to represent different beak types to see which is best adapted to collect and “eat” seeds of different sizes. Students collect and analyze data and draw conclusions about traits that offer a selective advantage under different environmental conditions. They have the option of using an Excel spreadsheet to calculate different descriptive statistics and interpret graphs.

Student Learning Targets
  • Explain why even slight differences due to variations in beak size can have an impact on a bird’s ability to obtain food and survive.

  • Explain how changes in environmental conditions can result in strong selective pressures and cause adaptations to evolve in a relatively short period of time.

  • Follow an experimental protocol in collaboration with other students.

  • Make predictions based on observations and collect quantitative data to test their predictions.

  • Organize and analyze results by interpreting graphs and performing simple calculations.

  • Draw conclusions about traits that offer a selective advantage under different environmental conditions.

Details
Estimated Time
One 50-minute class periods.
Key Terms

behavior, biodiversity, ecology, evolution, organismal biology, scientific methodology, scientific process, speciation

Terms of Use

Please see the Terms of Use for information on how this resource can be used.

Accessibility Level

The documents for this resource meet accessibility standards in accordance with the final rule for Section 508 of the National Rehabilitation Act.
Version History
Date Published 04.10.14
Date Updated 11.25.19
Curriculum Connections
NGSS (2013)

HS-LS2-1, HS-LS2-2, HS-LS4-2, HS-LS4-4, HS-LS4-5; SEP4, SEP6

AP Biology (2019)

EVO-1.D, EVO-1.E, EVO-1.J, SYI-3.D, EVO-1.M, EVO-1.O, EVO-3.A; SP1, SP5

IB Biology (2016)

5.2, C.1

AP Environmental Science (2013)

II.C

IB Environmental Systems and Societies (2017)

3.2

Common Core (2010)

ELA.RST.9-12.7, ELA.WHST.6-12.1
Math.S-ID.3, S-IC.3; MP2, MP4

Vision and Change (2009)

CC1, CC5; DP1

Materials
Educator Materials (PDF) 956 KB
Student Handout (PDF) 1 MB
Spreadsheet (Excel) 39 KB
Educator Materials - Español (PDF) 410 KB
Student Handout - Español (PDF) 393 KB
Spreadsheet - Español (Excel) 41 KB
Additional Materials
  • cardboard or plastic box

  • two types of tools (tweezers and pliers)

  • AstroTurf attached to box bottom with glue, tape, or Velcro

  • two types of “seeds” (e.g., rice and kidney beans)

  • plastic or paper cups

  • timer (students can use phones or watches that show seconds)

  • tablespoons and measuring cups

  • a computer with Excel (optional)

Use This Resource With
Video Resource
The Origin of Species: The Beak of the Finch

Educator Tips

Hear how educators are using BioInteractive content in their teaching.
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1-Minute Tips
Beaks as Tools
Jason Crean describes how he uses BioInteractive's "Beaks as Tools" activity to supplement understanding of Rosemary and Peter Grant's research on the evolution of the Galápagos finches.
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