Letters from Darwin (A high school student page)
Charles Darwin is probably one of the most recognized scientists of all time. His ideas on evolution and the history of life have both revolutionized and polarized man’s thinking about the world and his place in it. Although most would picture Darwin as an old man with a long white beard, he was once a heedless young man with casual ambitions who embarked on a trip around the world because he did not want to become a doctor like his father.
PART I – A Natural Record Keeper
Darwin wrote letters all of his life to an incredible array of family, friends, colleagues and acquaintances. Over 20,000 handwritten notes have been preserved and made public in a comprehensive collection at Darwin-online.org. His correspondences provide information about not only his own life, studies and ideas; but are also rich with insights about 19th century culture. Although he did not publish his theory of natural selection until 1859 in his famous book On the origin of Species, his letters chart the development of his scientific thinking from his early days until his death in 1882.
YOUR TASK
"A quick aside to those who long for the days of long letters and who believe that our IQs drop a point with each text: Take note of Darwin’s liberal use of ampersands, numerals and quaint 19th century contractions (sh’d for should, etc.). IMHO, these are all just Victorian shortcuts to speed up the process of handwriting when the mind can work so much more quickly, " (Kate Rix, 2013).
PART I – A Natural Record Keeper
Darwin wrote letters all of his life to an incredible array of family, friends, colleagues and acquaintances. Over 20,000 handwritten notes have been preserved and made public in a comprehensive collection at Darwin-online.org. His correspondences provide information about not only his own life, studies and ideas; but are also rich with insights about 19th century culture. Although he did not publish his theory of natural selection until 1859 in his famous book On the origin of Species, his letters chart the development of his scientific thinking from his early days until his death in 1882.
YOUR TASK
- As an introduction to the scope of Darwin’s letters, check out a sampling of excerpts at https://www.darwinproject.ac.uk/letters/darwins-life-letters
- Click on at least two letters from this page and write a discussion board response to the following prompt and comment on at least two others’ posts by the end of the week.
- How do the letters communicate Darwin’s fondness for observation and reflection to explain the world around him? In what ways would you consider these necessary skills in the pursuit of science? Use at least two specific references from different letters to support your position.
"A quick aside to those who long for the days of long letters and who believe that our IQs drop a point with each text: Take note of Darwin’s liberal use of ampersands, numerals and quaint 19th century contractions (sh’d for should, etc.). IMHO, these are all just Victorian shortcuts to speed up the process of handwriting when the mind can work so much more quickly, " (Kate Rix, 2013).
Part II – The Trip of a Lifetime
“In 1831, 22 year-old Darwin received his Bachelor’s degree from Cambridge University in England. Darwin began his studies with the hopes of becoming a physician like his father, but soon abandoned this idea because he couldn't stand the sight of blood. Instead Darwin pursued divinity studies with the notion of becoming a pastor in a small church. Darwin's real love, the study of natural history, would fit nicely into the life of a country clergyman. Darwin received encouragement to study botany and geology from his professors, particularly his mentor, botany professor John Henslow," (PBS Lesson 2, 2002).
“In 1831, 22 year-old Darwin received his Bachelor’s degree from Cambridge University in England. Darwin began his studies with the hopes of becoming a physician like his father, but soon abandoned this idea because he couldn't stand the sight of blood. Instead Darwin pursued divinity studies with the notion of becoming a pastor in a small church. Darwin's real love, the study of natural history, would fit nicely into the life of a country clergyman. Darwin received encouragement to study botany and geology from his professors, particularly his mentor, botany professor John Henslow," (PBS Lesson 2, 2002).
YOUR TASK
- Go to PBS’s DARWINS DIARY website and open the diary by clicking on it. Read the introduction and advance to the next page using the arrow in the lower right. Click on the theme: Beagle
- Read through the narrative and excerpts for the four entries from Darwin’s Diaries on the first vertical thread (shows on the timeline).
- Write a discussion board response to the following prompt and comment on at least two others’ posts by the end of the week.
- How do the obstacles Darwin writes about in his pursuit of a naturalist’s position relate to obstacles you have encountered in your own life? Use specific examples from the reading.
Part III: Observations
and Ideas
Now that you have some idea of how Darwin’s letters and diaries serve as records of his observations; can you think of other ways we collect observations today?
YOUR TASK
Lesson adapted from PBS. (2014). Charles Darwin. WGBH Educational Foundation. Retrieved from http://idahoptv.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/tdc02.sci.life.evo.lp_darwin/charles-darwin/
Now that you have some idea of how Darwin’s letters and diaries serve as records of his observations; can you think of other ways we collect observations today?
YOUR TASK
- Create a five-day log of observations about one aspect of your daily life (e.g., classmates' attire, weather at different times of day, behavior of a pet, your sleep and eating patterns, etc.).
- You must use at least one consistent method of collecting data (e.g. measurement, detailed description, sketches, photos, video, etc.). You may use more than one, but at least one of those must be same for each day.
- Develop a collection form in your Google Drive as a document, form or spreadsheet. Be sure that date, time, location or any other relevant data is included in your log.
- Share your collection form with observation topic clearly stated with your instructor before you begin recording in your log.
- After two consecutive observation days, share your log with another student for peer feedback. Use the following checklist to review someone else’s log and add comments to their log. Are the observations related to the stated topic? Are the observations clear and detailed enough? Any suggestions for improvement?
- After the fifth day of observations, look at the data you have collected. Are there any patterns or unexpected information? Develop at least two hypotheses that explain your observations and add them to the bottom. Consider how you might test your hypotheses and be prepared to discuss your ideas.
- Share your log and hypotheses with at least two other students in class. Be prepared to participate in a class discussion about the factors and assumptions that influence observation collection and hypotheses generation.
Lesson adapted from PBS. (2014). Charles Darwin. WGBH Educational Foundation. Retrieved from http://idahoptv.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/tdc02.sci.life.evo.lp_darwin/charles-darwin/
Part IV. On the Origin of Species
Darwin’s trip on the HMS Beagle stretched from two years to five. He collected information and specimens related to both biology and geology throughout the trip, with important attention to the islands of the Galapagos. Darwin really begins to connect his evidence and ideas with those put forth by other scientists in geology, human population growth and biology during the next 15 years of analysis after the Beagle. YOUR TASK
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Lesson adapted from PBS. (2014). Charles Darwin. WGBH Educational Foundation. Retrieved from http://idahoptv.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/tdc02.sci.life.evo.lp_darwin/charles-darwin/ |
PART V: Zeroing in on the Galapagos using Google Map
Throughout the last two centuries scientists from around the world have traveled to the Galapagos Islands to study flora and fauna of the Islands. Darwin made special connections about how organisms are related from the data collected by himself and others on the Galapagos Islands. He particularly noted variations between similar species of birds, reptiles and plants in relation to their distribution on the islands. For example, he discovered a correlation between structural changes in related birds and their geographical locations. He also discovered a correlation between structural changes and environmental factors like resource availability. These relationships are cornerstones in his ideas on Natural Selection.
We will be watching the BBC film Galapagos - Islands that Changed the World (55 min) in class.
Extension: Take a virtual tour of the Galapagos with Google Street views at https://www.google.com/maps/views/streetview/galapagos-islands?gl=us
Throughout the last two centuries scientists from around the world have traveled to the Galapagos Islands to study flora and fauna of the Islands. Darwin made special connections about how organisms are related from the data collected by himself and others on the Galapagos Islands. He particularly noted variations between similar species of birds, reptiles and plants in relation to their distribution on the islands. For example, he discovered a correlation between structural changes in related birds and their geographical locations. He also discovered a correlation between structural changes and environmental factors like resource availability. These relationships are cornerstones in his ideas on Natural Selection.
We will be watching the BBC film Galapagos - Islands that Changed the World (55 min) in class.
Extension: Take a virtual tour of the Galapagos with Google Street views at https://www.google.com/maps/views/streetview/galapagos-islands?gl=us
YOUR TASK
What adaptations have occurred to organisms that live in the Galapagos Islands and why?
Lesson Adapted from n.a. (2013). Following in Darwin's Footsteps – 6811 | Henrico 21 - Blog. Retrieved July 26, 2014, from http://blogs.henrico.k12.va.us/21/2013/03/28/following-in-darwins-footsteps-6811/
What adaptations have occurred to organisms that live in the Galapagos Islands and why?
- In this activity you will create a collaborative document to research and study three similar organisms that live on three different islands to identify adaptations. Then you generate hypotheses about how these adaptations evolved using evidence you have discovered. Next you will create a Google Earth place mark with the name of each organism (common and scientific), an image, the adaptation and your hypothesis. These will be shared with me to create a classwide Google Earth file. Finally, we will have a classroom discussion to evaluate whether hypotheses are sound.
- Begin by clicking on this link and follow the directions https://sites.google.com/a/henrico.k12.va.us/darwin/home
Lesson Adapted from n.a. (2013). Following in Darwin's Footsteps – 6811 | Henrico 21 - Blog. Retrieved July 26, 2014, from http://blogs.henrico.k12.va.us/21/2013/03/28/following-in-darwins-footsteps-6811/
Resources
Darwin Correspondence Project.(2009). Explore the letters. Retrieved July 26, 2014, from http://www.darwinproject.ac.uk/explore-the-letters
Darwin-Online.(2006). Darwin's papers & manuscripts. Retrieved July 26, 2014, from http://darwin-online.org.uk/EditorialIntroductions/vanWyhe_Manuscripts.html
n.a.(2013). Following in Darwin's Footsteps – 6811 | Henrico 21 - Blog. Retrieved July 26, 2014, from http://blogs.henrico.k12.va.us/21/2013/03/28/following-in-darwins-footsteps-6811/
PBS. (2002). Evolution: Lesson 2: Who was Charles Darwin?. Retrieved July 26, 2014, from http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/evolution/educators/lessons/lesson2/act1.html
PBS. (2002). Evolution: Darwin's diary. Retrieved July 26, 2014, from http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/evolution/darwin/diary/
PBS. (2014). Charles Darwin. WGBH Educational Foundation. Retrieved from http://idahoptv.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/tdc02.sci.life.evo.lp_darwin/charles-darwin/
Kate Rix (2013). Trace Darwin's footsteps with Google's new virtual tour of the Galapagos. Retrieved July 26, 2014, from http://www.openculture.com/2013/09/googles-new-virtual-tour-of-the-galapagos-islands.html
Darwin Correspondence Project.(2009). Explore the letters. Retrieved July 26, 2014, from http://www.darwinproject.ac.uk/explore-the-letters
Darwin-Online.(2006). Darwin's papers & manuscripts. Retrieved July 26, 2014, from http://darwin-online.org.uk/EditorialIntroductions/vanWyhe_Manuscripts.html
n.a.(2013). Following in Darwin's Footsteps – 6811 | Henrico 21 - Blog. Retrieved July 26, 2014, from http://blogs.henrico.k12.va.us/21/2013/03/28/following-in-darwins-footsteps-6811/
PBS. (2002). Evolution: Lesson 2: Who was Charles Darwin?. Retrieved July 26, 2014, from http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/evolution/educators/lessons/lesson2/act1.html
PBS. (2002). Evolution: Darwin's diary. Retrieved July 26, 2014, from http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/evolution/darwin/diary/
PBS. (2014). Charles Darwin. WGBH Educational Foundation. Retrieved from http://idahoptv.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/tdc02.sci.life.evo.lp_darwin/charles-darwin/
Kate Rix (2013). Trace Darwin's footsteps with Google's new virtual tour of the Galapagos. Retrieved July 26, 2014, from http://www.openculture.com/2013/09/googles-new-virtual-tour-of-the-galapagos-islands.html