Rainfall and Bird Beaks Gizmo Write Up
Complete the Gizmo: https://gizmos.explorelearning.com/index.cfm?method=cResource.dspView&ResourceID=404&ClassID=5523286 by answering the questions below
General Video Directions: https://www.loom.com/share/5b8140b43a724bec8d5ed37bfab28be4
*There will be more in depth video directions for each section linked into each section.
Prior Knowledge Questions (Do these BEFORE using the Gizmo.)
During the voyage of the HMS Beagle (1831–1836), the young Charles Darwin collected several species of finches from the Galápagos Islands. Two of Darwin’s finches are shown below.
VIDEO DIRECTIONS PRIOR KNOWLEDGE QUESTIONS
https://www.loom.com/share/ee87723b75634ccbbcf389b2504d532d
Gizmo Warm-up
Darwin’s finches are one of many types of animals on the Galápagos Islands that have unique adaptations, or traits that help an organism survive in its environment. The Rainfall and Bird Beaks Gizmo™ allows you to explore how rainfall influences the range of beak shapes found in a single finch species.
VIDEO DIRECTIONS FOR GIZMO WARM-UP
https://www.loom.com/share/b3b56ac21c4b4130ac596678a1518468
Introduction: The Galápagos Islands are very dry, with an average rainfall on some islands of only five inches per year. The amount of rainfall has a large impact on the abundance and types of seeds that are available to be eaten by finches. In the process of natural selection, only the finches that are best adapted to the available seed types survive and have offspring.
VIDEO DIRECTIONS FOR ACTIVITY A: NORMAL YEARS
How is the finch population affected by a period of average rainfall?
Introduction: In years of abundant rainfall, there can be 20 inches or more of rain. In these years, plants produce an enormous number and variety of seeds.
VIDEO DIRECTIONS FOR ACTIVITY C: RAINY DAYS
Introduction: In years of extreme drought, Galápagos plants don’t produce new seeds. The small, delicate seeds get eaten up quickly, leaving behind only the largest, toughest seeds.
VIDEO DIRECTIONS FOR ACTIVITY B: DROUGHT
Form hypothesis: What type of beak do you think will be best for finding food in a drought?
Predict: Select the HISTOGRAM tab.
*Either Recreate the histogram on the left hand side of the "Show Your Work" section or take a screenshot and then put it over the left graph.
On the right hand side create what you believe will happen after 5 years of drought.
Describe: Compare the final histogram to the initial histogram.
Draw conclusions: What do you think caused the changes in the finch population and average beak size during the drought?
Think and discuss: Evolution is the process by which populations of organisms can change over time. How is directional selection related to evolution?
How does drought affect the finch population and average beak depth?
Form hypothesis: What beak shape do you think will be best for finding food in a period of abundant rainfall?
Predict: Select the HISTOGRAM tab.
*Either Recreate the histogram on the left hand side of the "Show Your Work" section or take a screenshot and then put it over the left graph.
On the right hand side create what you believe will happen after 5 years of heavy rain.
Describe: Compare the final histogram to the initial histogram.
Draw conclusions: What do you think caused the changes in finch population and average beak size during the period of abundant rain?
How does plentiful rainfall affect the finch population and average beak depth?