Science Week 2018

As part of Science Week, a zoologist – Jules Howard – came to speak to Y5/6 about Evolution and Adaptation.

We learnt that in Lincolnshire there are many fossils hidden under the ground.  Some people think that fossils were always of dinosaurs but in this area, most of the fossils found have been of sea creatures.

Jules had over 3600 fossils with him.  (He started collecting when he was about 8).  We were able to handle and examine many of these, including bones, teeth and coprolite (poo!).  Some of these were from: sharks, horses, bats and rabbits, as well as dinosaurs.  We had to be very careful with all of the artefacts as they were quite fragile. While we were looking at the fossils, on the board there were pictures of the now extinct animals which lived millions of years ago.

As we moved around in groups, the different types of fossils we examined had been divided in four specific groups: meat eaters (predators/carnivores); plant eaters (ruminants); thinking animals (humans and primates); nibbling and flying animals.  Among these were the skeletons of a fruit-bat and a rabbit.  There were some huge skulls to put together, including a saber tooth tiger skull.

We found out how animals had adapted to survive, for example rabbits growing longer legs and bigger eyes and ears to help them escape from predators such as foxes.  Jules explained how Charles Darwin had written about this, referring to ‘the survival of the fittest’ and ‘natural selection’.

Jules patiently answered all of our (many) questions and we left the workshop feeling excited.  Back in class, we discussed what we had learned.  Everyone thought it was lots of fun and really interesting.

For photos follow the link:

Science Week Darwin Workshop