This activity supports the viewing of the film The Making of a Theory. Students evaluate and discuss several claims relating to the history and evidence that led to the theory of evolution by natural selection.

Before watching the film, students evaluate and discuss claims based on their prior knowledge. They then watch a 30-minute film about Darwin and Wallace’s discoveries and revisit those claims using information and evidence presented in the film.

The activity can serve as an anticipation guide to focus students on several key concepts covered in the film, such as the natural origin of species and natural selection and adaptation. It can also be used as a pre- and post-assessment.