What made Charles Darwin so successful? L.O To find out how a great scientist works

What do you know about Charles Darwin?

‘I almost made up my mind to begin collecting all the insects which I could find dead, for on consulting my sister I concluded that it was not right to kill insects for the sake of making a collection.’ ‘I was led to attend closely to several branches of natural history, thus my powers of observation were improved.’ (Darwin aged about 9 or 10) How Darwin worked - in his own words How did the great scientist work?

How Did Darwin Collect all the Evidence he needed to write ‘The Origin of Species’?

‘When on board the H.M.S. 'Beagle' as naturalist, I was much struck with certain facts in the distribution of the organic beings inhabiting South America, and in the geological relations of the present to the past inhabitants of that continent.’ (Darwin aged 23-28) How Darwin worked - in his own words How did the great scientist work?

Exploring how Darwin worked Visit different areas of Down House For each area/ item listed find out how it helped Darwin to come up with his theory of evolution. Area/ item How Darwin Used It The Sandwalk The hot houses and gardens The study: microscope The study: books and letters The study: specimens e.g primate skull, insects Diaries and notebooks

Exploring how Darwin worked Area/ item How Darwin Used It The Sandwalk Curies The hot houses and gardens Darwins The study: microscope Einsteins The study: books and letters Goodhalls The study: specimens e.g primate skull, insects Hodgkins Diaries and notebooks Newtons

What skills did Darwin use? Making observations thinking Learning from other scientists Sharing/ discussing ideas Experimenting Area/ itemSkill used The Sandwalk The hot houses and gardens The study: microscope The study: books and letters The study: specimens e.g primate skull, insects Diaries and notebooks

Darwin’s old study at Down House How did the great scientist work?

The round table in the study How did the great scientist work?

The Study at Down House Why is this room so important? What did Darwin do here? List some of the object you can see on the square table? What do they tell you about how Darwin worked? List some of the objects on the round table? How do you think Darwin used these? What do you notice about the chair? What does this tell you? How does the equipment in Darwin’s study differ from a modern study or laboratory? In what ways do think Darwin’s study is similar to a modern study or laboratory?

‘After five years work [after the Beagle voyage] I allowed myself to speculate on the subject, and drew up some short notes; these I enlarged in 1844 into a sketch of the conclusions, which then seemed to me probable: from that period to the present day I have steadily pursued the same object.’ (Darwin aged about 35) How Darwin set about writing Darwin’s ways of working: Unit 1

‘I much regret that want of space prevents my having the satisfaction of acknowledging the generous assistance which I have received from very many naturalists, some of them personally unknown to me.’ On the Origin of Species, (Darwin aged 50) Darwin worked with many people Darwin’s ways of working: Unit 1

Darwin’s ways of working

Homework Imagine you are the presenter of a children’s TV show, called Scientists at Work. You have to introduce a programme explaining how Darwin collected the evidence which led him to the theory of evolution through natural selection. You must begin your programme by showing the audience one object from Down House and explaining how he used it to form his theory. Your task is to write your introductory speech for the show. 1.You must mention which object you will show your audience, and suggest how Darwin would have used it in his scientific investigations. 2.Write no more than one side of A4. 3.Include a picture or a drawing of your object. 4.Present your work neatly, and include your name, so it can be put on display

Assessment Criteria CriteriaTo a small extentTo a moderate extent To a great extent Pupils have described Darwin's ideas accurately Pupils have used language effectively Pupils have explained an aspect of how the scientist worked Pupils have contributed to the evaluation of the speech

Explore more Darwin’s ways of working: Unit 1 CabbageDaffodilTulip

org.uk/Darwin2009/index.html Use this link to explore the ground floor of Down House to find out how Darwin worked in other rooms This link takes you to where Darwin worked – the landscape where he walked regularly Explore more Darwin’s ways of working: Unit 1

Down House as a laboratory 1.Weed patch experiment & Thrum eyed and pin eyed Primulas – struggle for life 2.Carnivorous plants - variation 3.Worm stone – to measure how much soil worms move 4.Wild gooseberries & pigeons – selective breeding 5.54 varieties of cabbage, to look at life cycles, pollination and variability in plants.