Battle of the Beaks

Battle of the Beaks Key Question: Why do some species survive to reproduce while others do not? Initial Thoughts:

Evidence: Natural Selection For natural selection to occur there must be: Environmental pressure or competition for: land, food, mates, shelter, change in predator or prey, change in climate Variation in the population that increases survival and reproduction, leading to an adaptation over many generations.

Battle of the Beaks Procedure There are 4 different variations of beaks on the Island. Food has always been aplenty, so there is no need for specialization. A tsunami occurred and wiped out all food sources except for 1…

Evidence: Battle of the Beaks

Evidence: Table & Graph BEAK TYPE ROUND 1 ROUND 2 # OF SEEDS SPOO N   TWEEEZERS SPOON WITH HOLES CLOTHESPIN

Begin Competition – Round 1 Gather Materials Using only your beak, each of you “birds” must pick up your food and place it in your stomach. You may grab ONE seed at a time. If you grab more than one seed, it causes you to regurgitate, and you must empty your stomach (cup) back into the environment (paper bowl). You have 60 seconds Repeat steps 2-5 two more times & record NO CHEATING

Help has arrived… Another island’s government has finally sent over some relief help! They brought in 3 new food sources! Unfortunately the popcorn is poisonous! More than one rice grain will cause you to regurgitate, but you can eat as much of the lima beans at a time as your can scarf down. 

Begin Competition – Round 2 Using only your beak, each of you birds must pick up your food and place it in your stomach. You may grab as many lima bean seeds at you can. If you grab more than one rice seed, it causes you to regurgitate, and you must empty your stomach (cup) back into the environment (paper bowl). You have 60 seconds Repeat 2 steps 7-10 two more times & record NO CHEATING

Analysis Questions A) Which beak was the most successful with the beans, and therefore naturally selected to survive? B) Which beak was the most successful with the rice, and therefore naturally selected to survive? C) What would you expect to see in future generations of birds on this island? 2. If the seeds were buried in the sand which type of beak(s) would naturally be selected to survive? Why? 3. What role does variation and competition play in the process of natural selection?

Summary What did you think about why some species survive and others do not before this lesson? What did you learn about why some species survive and others do not from this lesson? (Minimum of 3 sentences!!!) What are some further thoughts or questions you have about why some species survive and others do not ?

Reflection Thinking about the beaks your group used during this activity, what type of seeds/food would have been easy for you to capture, but perhaps difficult for the other types of beaks? Use a picture to help explain why.

Big Idea

Rate My New Knowledge on the Learning Target 0 – I don’t understand 1 – I have some knowledge 2 – I understand the learning target well 3 – I understand the learning target well and I can teach someone else about it If you scored less than 2, explain what you can do to meet this standard