CMIS Evaluation

DARWIN200 Around the world groups will be celebrating the life and legacy of Charles Darwin - the ‘Father of Evolution’

Darwin200 celebrates Charles Darwin’s 200th birthday [February 12] and the 150th anniversary of the publication of his theory On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection.

To introduce students to Darwin’s life and work teachers can start by reading two recently published books,  both of which are on the Primary Focus List.

• One beetle too many and
• Charles Darwin

Teachers and students can explore the many intriguing facets of his life and works through the many websites which have evolved to cover the celebrations. From those listed below students will be able to engage in many different activities.

• About Darwin – dedicated to everything about Darwin – his life, books and travels. It has a special section of photos relating to different times in his life.
• Darwin Online – contains the largest collection in the world of electronic images relating to Darwin, many of which can be reproduced.
• Darwin Day Celebration – designed especially for February 12th but contains a great amount of information.
• Understanding Evolution – From Berkeley University
• At the Charles Darwin Trust, teachers can read about Darwin inspired teaching and learning and translate items there for use in their own classrooms. The Experiment Topics inspired by Darwin shows some easy to follow activities such as food chains and worm farms.
• Tree of life animation – a video presented by Sir David Attenborough which helps explain Darwin’s Theory of Evolution.
• American Museum of Natural History - includes an online educator’s guide and Gene Scene – a user friendly page on explaining genetics and other classroom activities.
• In the British Natural History Museum students can follow the 5 year voyage of H.M.S Beagle on an interactive map. At each stop a graphic displays relates a significant event.
• The Galapagos – where the theory took shape and was explored.
• http://thebeagleproject.blogspot.com
• The Asia Pacific Portal of Darwin200 is hosted by Charles Darwin University and supported by the Northern Territory Government and Darwin City Council. Includes information about the HMS Beagle Ship Bell Chime artwork in Darwin – Northern Territory.

The Perth Mint is producing a special commemorative coin for the occasion. The Darwin City Council is presenting a ship’s bell to the Beagle Project in the UK.and a special set of bells will be installed in a Darwin park.

This entry was posted on February 5, 2009 at 1:28 pm and is filed under celebrations, research. Tagged: Charles_Darwin, Evolution. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.