Galapagos Islands – Interactive Experience
Teacher Guide
Introduction
The Galápagos Island Interactive Experience enhances learning by allowing students the opportunity to explore the Galápagos Islands first hand and learn about the history and science behind this beautiful and unique volcanic archipelago.
The Interactive Experience is taught by Wendy Martin, national runner up Teacher of the Year, and includes two sessions that immerse students in both the vast history and incredible scientific discoveries the islands have to offer. The HMS Beagle experience, explores the history of the voyage of Captain Robert FitzRoy and Charles Darwin’s four-year journey to the Galápagos Islands. Arriving on September 15th, 1835 the visit would serve as the foundation for Darwin’s theories on evolution. The Cerro Brujo Island experience takes students on a tour of the area where Darwin first set foot in the Galapagos. He was awed by the strange, exotic creatures he discovered on these islands. This compelled him to question the origin of the island’s inhabitants.
HMS Beagle Exploration : Self Paced
- Self led tour of the ship
- There are 7 educational info points throughout the ship, as well as a monologue by Darwin himself.
- Virtual field trip option
Cerro Brujo Island Exploration : Self Paced
Consists of 10 educational info points, around the island. Each info point gives insight into the native plants, and animals found in the Galápagos.
Plants & Animals Covered
Galápagos
Tortoise
Sally Lightfoot Crab
Red-footed Booby
Painted Locust
Palo Verde
Lava Cactus
Prickly Pear Cactus
Miconia
Tribulus
Red Mangrove
Lesson Extension Ideas
Additional Resources
- Animal research project
- Charles Darwin biography report
- Climate change impact research
- Conservation and ecological restoration
- Punnett square genotype project
- The Origin of Species by Charles Darwin
- History and Conservancy information
- Discovering Galápagos Teacher Zone: Lessons and supporting activities
Tech Bits
- To turn on the info points on the HMS Beagle you will need to go down to the main deck and toggle on the info points. This will allow students to access the informational checkpoints and a speech by Darwin.
- There is an opportunity to add a 360 Field trip to the HMS Beagle experience. • You will find the “Go on a field trip” button in the life boat off the port (left) side of the ship.
- This video reviews how to add a field trip to your experience.
- Example from our library of an applicable 360 video..
- Comparative Anatomy: biological evidence that supports Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution.
Next Generation Science Standards
Elementary School: 3-LS3-1 Heredity: Inheritance and Variation of Traits, 3-LS4-2 Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity, 3-LS4-3 Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity, 3-LS4-4 Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity, 3-LS3 Heredity: Inheritance and Variation of Traits, 3-LS4 Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity Middle School: MS-LS3-1 Heredity: Inheritance and Variation of Traits, MS-LS3-2 Heredity: Inheritance and Variation of Traits, MS-LS4-4 Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity, MS-LS4-6 Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity, MS-LS3 Heredity: Inheritance and Variation of Traits, MS-LS4 Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity High School: HS-LS4-2 Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity, HS-LS4-3 Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity, HS-LS4-4 Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity, HS-LS4-5 Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity, HS-LS4 Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity
Wendy Martin
Wendy Martin advises our teams to ensure we produce the
best possible education content for our users. She was a
National Finalist for Teacher of the Year (ABC) as
well as teaching in high school science for over 20
years. Wendy holds a Masters in Biology from Clemson
University.
