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    Home » Charles Darwin – Making Fossils and Natural Selection

    Charles Darwin – Making Fossils and Natural Selection

    January 3, 2018 By Emma Vanstone Leave a Comment

    Charles Darwin is most famous for his work on Natural Selection, the evidence for which came from his voyage on the HMS Beagle observing and collecting fossils, birds and whatever else he could find.

    What is Natural Selection?

    The theory behind Natural Selection is that characteristics more suited to an environment are more like to survive and pass those characteristics to their offspring.

    The main features of Charles Darwin’s theory are:

    • there is competition for resources such as food and water
    • within a population there is natural variation

    Animals or plants that are poorly adapted to their environment are less likely to survive and reproduce, meaning their genes are less likely to be passed to the next generation.

    Make your own fossils

    Image of a dinosaur imprint in clay for a Charles Darwin activity
    DIY Dinosaur Fossils

    Materials

    Air drying clay or salt dough

    Rolling pins

    Small toy animals

    Paint

    Instructions

    Roll out a thick circle of clay slightly bigger than the toy animals you want to use.

    Gently press the animals down so they leave an imprint.

    Once the dough has been baked or left to air dry the fossils can be decorated using paint.

    Make fossils for a Charles Darwin activity
    Dinosaur fossil

    More ideas

    Can you create fossils of different types of animals and ask a friend to match the animal to the fossil?

    Find out why bird have different shaped beaks with this easy Natural Selection activity.

    If you enjoyed learning about Charles Darwin you might also like my other famous scientist experiments.

    Learn more about rocks and their properties with my FREE Rock Lab!

    Find lots more easy science ideas for little ones in my Playful Science series!

    Last Updated on February 22, 2022 by Emma Vanstone

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    Safety Notice

    Science Sparks ( Wild Sparks Enterprises Ltd ) are not liable for the actions of activity of any person who uses the information in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources. Science Sparks assume no liability with regard to injuries or damage to property that may occur as a result of using the information and carrying out the practical activities contained in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources.

    These activities are designed to be carried out by children working with a parent, guardian or other appropriate adult. The adult involved is fully responsible for ensuring that the activities are carried out safely.

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