The Galapagos Islands - A Geologist or Biologist's Dream
A WebQuest Created by:
Lon L. Eilders, II
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
Introduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Teachers | Credits/References
While many people would find the Galapagos Islands a place of beauty and relaxation, a biologist or geologist would find it to one of the world's greatest natural laboratories.
The students will research the geology and climate of the Galapagos Islands and describe how this effects Darwin's mechanism of natural selection. The gathered data will be presented as a paper and a PowerPoint presentation.
Use the following six websites to do research for your paper and presentation:
Galapagos Geology on the Web: A brief Introduction to the Geology of the Galapagos
Galapagos Geology on the Web: Galapagos Climate and Oceanography
Galapagos Geology on the Web: A brief history of the Galapagos - Darwin and Evolution
Evolution and Natural Selection
Answer the following questions in your paper and your presentation:
What is a mantle plume?
What is its relationship to the Galapagos?
Explain the process that formed the Galapagos Archipelago.
How are the Galapagos Islands like the Hawaiian Islands (Talk about plate tectonics)?
What type of volcanoes are found in the Galapagos?
Explain the oceanographic processes that shape the climate of the Galapagos. (Include currents, upwelling, Ekman Transport, and Southern Oscillation)
How is the climate related to natural selection?
What is natural selection?
What did Darwin do?
What are the requirements of natural selection?
What evidence is there to support natural selection?
How do Darwin's Finches relate to natural selection?
How do their beaks relate to mating calls?
The paper should be five typed pages in 12-pont Times New Roman font. You should include a title page and reference page. The PowerPoint presentation should run 10 minutes including time for questions. There should be at least 10 slides. See rubric for more detailed instructions concerning this assignment.
Rubric (Word Document)
Rubric (PDF File)
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10 |
All material is in publishable form; that is, it is thoroughly proofread and without careless errors. (5=12, >10=11, >15=10, 20=9, >25=8, >30=7 |
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8 |
All your information is well researched, well written, well organized and in your own voice. |
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All flaws pointed out by the instructor and/or peer advisors in drafts have been corrected. |
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10 |
Material shows strong understanding of major ideas and displays critical thinking in placement of text, sequencing of pages, and page composition. |
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3 |
Presentation has a title page. |
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5 |
Presentation has a bibliography which follows the MLA citation rules. |
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9 |
The presentation includes a minimum of 10 slides. |
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6 |
The presentation includes a variety of text fields, graphics, sounds, and transitions. |
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6 |
The presentation has a professional look with an overall graphical theme that appeals to the audience, compliments the information, and each slide is visually neat incorporating a variety of layouts. |
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6 |
Each slide uses text, graphics, sounds, and transitions that communicate and compliment information being shared. |
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The presentation visually depicts material and appeals to audience. |
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3 |
Did you use a different form to communicate to the group during your presentation other than simply screen reading? |
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3 |
You used each slide as lead into the wealth of additional information you have on the topic. |
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3 |
You maintained eye contact with group and modulated your voice in addition to your visual on-screen sharing. |
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At conclusion of your sharing you checked for understanding via questions or oral quiz, etc. |
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You utilized your allotted time effectively. |
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You have also made a backup copy of your presentation to assure against any disaster. |
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Each member of the audience has been given a handout of your presentation which includes an area to take notes. |
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An electronic form of your presentation has been given to your instructor. |
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Now you see just how amazing the Galapagos Island are to the biologist and geologist.
Grade Band: 9-12 Geology
Tennessee State Standards: 9-12 Geology
4.4 interpret and evaluate the fossil record for evidence of biological evolution.
4.5 demonstrate the effect of the environment in the formation and extinction of species through geologic time using fossils.
5.1 recognize different types of plate boundaries (e.g., divergent, convergent, and transform including continental vs. oceanic).
5.2 interpret evidence for plate tectonics using paleomagnetism, fossil record, continental boundaries, and hot spots.
5.3 recognize that convection currents are the driving mechanisms for plate tectonics.
5.4 describe the processes associated with volcanoes, earthquakes, and mountain building.
Grade Band: 9-12 Earth Science
Tennessee State Standards: 9-12 Earth Science
3.1 explain the components of the tectonic cycle.
4.3 interpret and evaluate the evidence for biological evolution in the fossil record.
4.4 demonstrate the effect of the environment on the formation and extinction of species.
Grade Band: 9-12 Life Science
Tennessee State Standards: 9-12 Life Science
6.2 interpret various forms of evidence for biological evolution.
6.4 relate environmental change to natural selection, mutation, and adaptation that may lead to the emergence of a new species or the extinction of an existing species.
6.5 use current knowledge of DNA and comparative anatomy as evidence for biological change.
Grade Band: 9-12 Biology I
Tennessee State Standards: 9-12 Biology I
6.2 investigate how natural selection, mutation, and adaptation impact a species.
6.3 recognize the contributions of scientists, including Darwin, to the concept of evolution.
6.4 apply current knowledge of DNA and comparative anatomy to provide evidence for biological evolution.
Grade Band: 9-12 AP Biology
The College Board: 9-12 AP Biology
Evolution: Evidence and Mechanisms
Purpose: To encourage students to learn about the origin of Darwin's mechanism of natural selection and its connection to the geology and climate of the Galapagops Islands through the exciting use of the Internet. To encourage the presentation of data through a paper and a PowerPoint presentation.
Preceding and Ensuing Events of Instruction: The teacher should first show the IMAX movie Galapagos (39 minutes) which is available through slingshot. This should prompt student interest in the topics covered in this WebQuest. Ordering information at www.slingshotdvd.com
This WebQuest can prompt future interest of students in the field of geology and biology.
Teachers will need to procure geology and biology textbooks for reference.
Learning Improvements: Students will be allowed to do independent research which should lead to a move away from extrinsic rewards to greater intrinsic rewards. Learning will be reinforced when the students assemble and evaluate the research they have done.
Improvements and Expansions: This WebQuest can be expanded by investigating other species on the Galapagos Islands that lend evidence to Darwin's theory.
Regents of the University of Michigan (n. d.) Evolution and Natural Selection. Retrieved July 15, 2003, from http://www.globalchange.umich.edu/globalchange1/current/lectures/selection/selection.html
Rothman, R. (n. d.). Darwin's Finches. Retrieved July 16, 2003, from http://www.rit.edu/~rhrsbi/GalapagosPages/DarwinFinch.html
The Smithsonian Institution and IMAX Ltd. (1999). Galapagos [DVD] Burbank, CA: Slingshot DVD Corp.
University of Massachusetts Amherst (n. d.). News Release: Galapagos Finches Sing Different Mating Songs due to Evolutionary Diversification of Beaks, Says UMass Biologist. Retrieved July 16, 2003, from http://www.umass.edu/newsoffice/archive/2001/011001podos.html
White, W. M. (1997). Galapagos Geology on the Web: A Brief History of the Galapagos. Retrieved July 15, 2003, from http://www.geo.cornell.edu/geology/GalapagosWWW/Darwin.html
White, W. M. (1997). Galapagos Geology on the Web: A Brief Introduction to the Geology of the Galapagos. Retrieved July 15, 2003, from http://www.geo.cornell.edu/geology/GalapagosWWW/GalapagosGeology.html
White, W. M. (1998). Galapagos Geology on the Web: Galapagos Climate and Oceanography. Retrieved July 15, 2003, from http://www.geo.cornell.edu/geology/GalapagosWWW/GalapagosClimate.html