Evolution - Darwin and Wallace - Science - Year 10

Teacher Content Information

Teacher content information: In 1858, while feverish and bed-bound on an island in the Malay Archipelago, Wallace had a flash of inspiration: he understood how species evolved! In his feverish state he realised that species changed because the fittest individuals survived and reproduced, passing their advantageous characteristics onto their offspring. Wallace wanted to tell someone about his theory and immediately wrote to someone he knew would be interested; Charles Darwin.

When a shocked Darwin received Wallace’s letter (he had been working on this very same theory for twenty years!) he decided to publish his ideas. Both Darwin and Wallace presented at a meeting of the Linnean Society. Darwin published his masterpiece - The Origin of Species - the following year.

Since that time Darwin has overshadowed Wallace, and it has usually just been his name that is associated with the theory of evolution by natural selection. Wallace expressed no resentment at this, and in fact he was Darwin's greatest fan. His role in the matter, and Darwin's support, ensured his entry to the highest ranks of the scientific establishment.

Teacher instructions

Work through this resource material in the following sequence:

10 minutes - Tune in: Darwin and Wallace
30 minutes - Find out: Theories of evolution
20 minutes - Take action: Courtroom report

Tune in: Darwin and Wallace

Step 1.

Read the Darwin and Wallace factsheet.

Step 2.

Discuss:

How did Darwin and Wallace each contribute to the theory of evolution?
How are Darwin and Wallace connected?
Why do you think their work might still be important?
What did you find most interesting or surprising about the work or Darwin and/or Wallace and why?
What questions do you still have about Darwin and/or Wallace and the work that they did?

Find out: Theories of evolution

Step 1.

Read:

Evidence for evolution factsheet
Natural selection factsheet
The Animated Life of A.R. Wallace (Director's Cut from Sweet Fern Productions on Vimeo - (https://vimeo.com/81441769)
Natural Selection - Crash Course Biology #14 - (https://youtu.be/aTftyFboC_M)
Students may also need to conduct additional research.

Take action: Courtroom report

Step 1.

Now invite students to imagine the following scenario:Alfred Russel Wallace makes it back from his fieldwork in the Malay Archipelago and finds that Charles Darwin has reached the same conclusions about evolution and natural selection as he had. Instead of acknowledging Wallace (which is what happened), imagine that Darwin stole Wallace’s ideas and that Wallace decides to sue Darwin for stealing his ideas. Darwin defends his theories saying that he and Wallace came to the same conclusions at the same time. The case goes to court.

Step 2.

Students imagine that they are reporters in the courtroom. They will need to write and record a news report on the details of the case, including:

Background information about both Darwin and Wallace, including where they were from, where they worked and when they worked.
The work Darwin and Wallace each did to lead them to develop their own theories of evolution.
The essential elements of their theories of evolution (e.g. natural selection and what this means).

It may be useful to scaffold students by breaking up the report into five sections of 30 seconds each.

Step 3.

Students can use their electronic devices to record the report.

Students may like to add some intro and outro music, as well as other transition effects, to give the recording a podcast feel.

Reflection

Students could use the Podcast assessment rubric to assess the news reports of others.

Evolution - Darwin versus Wallace

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