The natural history of these islands is eminently curious, and well deserves attention …Both in space and time, we seem to be brought somewhere near to that great fact -- that mystery of mysteries -- the first appearance of new beings on this earth. -Darwin

He was a young naturalist on a round-the-world scientific and geographical voyage on board HMS Beagle ( ). Charles Darwin was the first to make a scientific study of the islands in 1835.

Today the Galapagos are owned by Ecuador and are maintained as part of that nation's national park system. About 95% of the islands are part of the park, with the remainder being inhabited by about 14,000 people in four major communities. The Darwin Station conducts scientific research and conservation programs. It is currently breeding and releasing captive tortoises and iguanas.

The Galapagos Archipelago is a cluster of some 13 volcanic islands and associated islets and rocks located just under the equator, about 600 miles west of Ecuador in South America. The oldest of the islands are about 4 million years old and the youngest are still in the process of being formed. Indeed, the Galapagos islands are considered to be one of the most active volcanic areas in the world.

"The distribution of the tenants of this archipelago would not be nearly so wonderful, if, for instance, one island had a mocking-thrush, and a second island some other quite distinct genus.... But it is the circumstance, that several of the islands possess their own species of tortoise, mocking-thrush, finches and numerous plants, these species having the same general habits, occupying analogous situations, and obviously filling the same place in the natural economy of this archipelago, that strikes me with wonder...." Charles Darwin, Voyage of the Beagle

BIRDD: Resources for student investigations in evolutionary biology

Primary pedagogical goal: Support student inquiry Provide real, complex data on organisms and systems. –give students experience with phenomena (effect to cause reasoning) –provide a rich data environment & powerful tools Provide enough types of data that investigations can be realistic. –flexibility in the possible questions (“Their” ?’s!) –flexibility in the ways questions can be addressed

Reasons for emphasizing student investigations Understanding a discipline involves not only familiarity with its conceptual knowledge but additionally, familiarity with its cognitive goals and reasoning patterns. Students consistently have difficulty understanding evolutionary biology. These problems are, at least in part, due to difficulties with the types of reasoning required.

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