# data[].attributes.body
This video explores the lengthy research two scientists complete on the Galapagos Islands. The finch population on these islands has undergone significant changes in beak traits over several generations. Watch as they experts share data and video evidence of natural selection at work.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Description: When Darwin visited the Galapagos Island he collected a number of bird species that he brought back to England. He presented them to ornithologist John Gould thinking they were a variety of birds and he was told that they were all different varieties of finches. This led Darwin to speculate that a population of finches had arrived on the islands and had adapted to different climates through natural selection. However Darwin was never able to observe evolution taking place. Researchers Peter and Rosemary Grant have been observing evolution of Galapagos finches for the last 40 years. One of the most famous studies involved the change in beak depth of medium ground finches during times of drought. Birds that had small beaks were unable to open the dry seeds causing microevolution in the surviving birds.

Web Resources: Peter and Rosemary Grant Research - Wikipedia, The Beak of the Finch - HHMI

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Galapagos Finch Evolution - The Wonder of Science

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Description: When Darwin visited the Galapagos Island he collected a number of bird species that he brought back to England. He presented them to ornithologist John Gould thinking they were a variety of birds and he was told that they were all different varieties of finches. This led Darw

# data[].attributes.headline
Amazing Adaptations: The Hummingbirds of Costa Rica

# data[].attributes.subject
Amazing Adaptations: The Hummingbirds of Costa Rica

# data[].attributes.body
This PBS resource takes you to a beautiful land with a diverse population of hummingbirds. Each page explores different topics about these birds. You will learn how they attract mates, adapt to their climate and evironment as well as each display unique traits. Through videos and interactive drawings you will explore how these birds have coevolved with the plant life of Costa Rica.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
There is perhaps no physical characteristic more defining than that of the hummingbird bill. These bills allow hummingbirds to feed on nectar from flowers. Each species' bill is adapted for specialized purposes. For some species of hummingbird, that means a single species of flower.

Space

Pause/Play video playback

Enter

Pause/Play video playback

m

Mute/Unmute video volume

Up and Down arrows

Increase and decrease volume by 10%

Right and Left arrows

Seek forward or backward by 5 seconds

0-9

Fast seek to x% of the video.

f

Enter or exit fullscreen. (Note: To exit fullscreen in flash press the Esc key.

c

Press c to toggle captions on or off

Why does the heliconia plant rely on the White-Tipped Sicklebill? How do you think this relationship came to be?
You must be signed in to save work in this lesson. Log in

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Amazing Adaptations: The Hummingbird Bill

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
There is perhaps no physical characteristic more defining than that of the hummingbird bill. These bills allow hummingbirds to feed on nectar from flowers. Each species' bill is adapted for specialized purposes. For some species of hummingbird, that means a single species of flower.

# data[].attributes.headline
Building a Dam: How do Changes in the Environment Affect Populations?

# data[].attributes.subject
Building a Dam: How do Changes in the Environment Affect Populations?

# data[].attributes.body
This simulation comes from an amazing site called The Concord Consortium. In this simulation, the user will observe and gather data on a population of rabbits as the evironment suddenly changes. Each rabbit has type have unqiue traits and adaptations. As time goes by, you can analyze the population by viewing the line graphs automatically generated from the simulation. This is great for learning about natural selection and fitness.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
In this simulation you will investigate how adaptive traits can become non-adaptive traits if the environmental conditions change. To plan and carry out an investigation, consider the following:

Independent variable: Amount of water

Dependent variable: Number of different sized-rabbits

Inquiry question: How does the amount of water affect the population of different sized rabbits?

To carry out your experiment:

Use the grass button to plant.

Use the rabbit button to place rabbits on the field.

Click the play button and watch what happens.

Stop the simulation and build a dam.

Click the play button.

Observe and record the changes in the number of grass and rabbits with different sizes over time. Click the stop button to stop the simulation at the beginning of each year to collect data.

This simulation is part of the Health in Our Hands collection.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Building a Dam: How do changes in the environment affect populations?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
In this simulation you will investigate how adaptive traits can become non-adaptive traits if the environmental conditions change. To plan and carry out an investigation, consider the following: Independent variable: Amount of water Dependent variable: Number of different sized-rabbits Inquiry question: How does the amount of water affect the population of different sized rabbits?

# data[].attributes.body
This PBS resource is a great tool for learning all about sound waves and their properties. The interactive site is split into 10 pages and includes videos, vocabulary, built in quizzes and matching challenges. Each page contains helpful questions to keep students on track. Students can sign in and save their progress.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
A song, a shout, a squeak, a smash: all of these make noise. They also create sound waves, which move the noise from its source to the ears of the people who hear it. So what are sound waves? How do they travel, and what would life be like without them?

This video provides a basic introduction to sound waves. Watch the segment as many times as you like, and read the video transcript if you want to. Then, answer the question in the Take Notes box at the bottom of the page.

Space

Pause/Play video playback

Enter

Pause/Play video playback

m

Mute/Unmute video volume

Up and Down arrows

Increase and decrease volume by 10%

Right and Left arrows

Seek forward or backward by 5 seconds

0-9

Fast seek to x% of the video.

f

Enter or exit fullscreen. (Note: To exit fullscreen in flash press the Esc key.

c

Press c to toggle captions on or off

WHAT YOU'LL DO

In this lesson you will learn some basic information about sound waves. You'll watch a short video and then three animations that explain how sound waves travel, and what characteristics they share. After taking notes and some online quizzes, you'll have a chance to review and organize what you've learned. Then you will produce your own project in which you will define and describe sound waves.

Take Notes

Use full sentences to answer the following questions:

1) What is a medium?

2) What are three examples of a medium?

You must be signed in to save work in this lesson. Log in

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
A song, a shout, a squeak, a smash: all of these make noise. They also create sound waves, which move the noise from its source to the ears of the people who hear it. So what are sound waves? How do they travel, and what would life be like without them?

# data[].attributes.body
This wave simulator is a great tool to teach students about the different properties and characteristics of waves. There are number variables that can be manipulated by the user including: frequency, wave speed and amplitude. This would be a great supplemental resource for most wave lessons.

# data[].attributes.body
This simulator is all about pitch and frequency. It's very simple, but it has the potential to be a great engagement resource. The controls are easy. You simply slide the bars to create high and low frequencies and listen to the pitch. There is also a visual model of the wave you create so students can see how frequency is changed by wavelength.

# data[].attributes.body
This interactive lab gives the user the experience of making important energy decisions for various locations within the U.S. As you visit different geographic locations, you are required to make a plan to generate enough renewable energy with a limited budget. You can run as many tests as you like, but the challenge is to make your energy consumption as sustainable as possible.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
For something we use every day, energy is a pretty mysterious concept. This Lab investigates what energy is, how it can be converted into useful forms, and why some sources are running low. In our Research Challenge, you'll use scientific data to design renewable energy systems for cities across the U.S.-and compete with others to see whose designs can produce the most power.

Video Intro About this Lab Educator Guide

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
energy renewable power wind solar geothermal biomass fossile fuels smart grid

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
For something we use every day, energy is a pretty mysterious concept. This Lab investigates what energy is, how it can be converted into useful forms, and why some sources are running low. In our Research Challenge, you'll use scientific data to design renewable energy systems for cities across the U.S.-and compete with others to see whose designs can produce the most power.

# data[].attributes.body
You are in charge of the energy deparment of your city. You are given three different proposals from a committe to meet the growing energy demans for the future. You have to determine how much renewable and nonrenewable energy resources you will rely upon and the cost effectiveness. In this interactive lesson, the user learns all about the challenges of creating a sustainable energy grid.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
You are the director of the Greenville Light & Power Department. You oversee the city’s power grid, the network of power lines and other equipment used to deliver electricity from suppliers to customers. To meet the expected increase in demand for electricity that will come over the next 20 to 30 years as Greenville grows, you need to reconsider the energy source used to generate electricity for the grid.

# data[].attributes.body
This simulation provides an experience of controlling air quality in an isolated location. The user can make changes to variables of weather as well as human factors, such as emissions. As you run tests, the air quality index displays on a line graph in real time. This would be a great supplemental resource or engagement tool. It's easy to use and reset.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Factors that Affect Air Quality - High-Adventure Science Interactive

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
How do wind, rain and solar radiation affect air quality? How might some methods of reducing emissions affect air quality? Click the play button to start the model, adjust the sliders to create different conditions and look at how each variable changes the air quality index over time.