Scientific understanding

Having learnt about Charles Darwin and his expedition to the Galápagos Islands the previous week, we continued to look at some of the scientific principles identified in Darwin's work. We explored the concept of adaptation and its link to evolution: how certain animals have changed and are best suited to survive in their particular habitat.

Afterwards, we looked at how plants too are adapted for their specific surroundings - learning how pitcher plants have found a way around the lack of nutrients in the rainforest soil, amongst others. The children then 'played god' and created their own plant with adaptations to enable it to survive in a chosen biome.

Lastly this week, we looked at inheritance and some of the characteristics and traits that can be passed on from biological parents. If your children have asked you to link your hands together and see which thumb is on top, this came from our lesson - some scientists believe this could be a trait that is passed on!