Charles Darwin: evolution of a scientist
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Charles Darwin:
evolution of a scientist
Welcome to The Manchester Museum and our new
exhibition ‘Charles Darwin: evolution of a scientist’. In this
exhibition, you will find seven graphic panels that illustrate
chapters of Darwin’s life, complete with quotes from his
autobiography. In the cases on the same side, there are
related objects. The reverse of each panel uses objects to
explore and explain scientific concepts and ideas.
Use this guide to help you explore the exhibition and
challenge yourself to find out more about Darwin, his life,
his scientific methods and his discoveries.
1. Darwin’s Childhood
‘Charles Darwin always loved nature and collecting things’
Illustration board showing Darwin’s fascination with the
natural world from an early age.
The display case contains a collection a child might
Illustration©Chrissie Morgan
make.
What are the different ways a collection can be organised?
Out of the collection, which is the
group of objects you would most
like to collect? Why?
2. Student Days
‘Charles Darwin continued
collecting and studying nature
when he was at university and was
keen to be recognised as an expert
naturalist.’
Reverse display case: Explores
19th century natural history
and collecting with a wide selection
of beautiful and interesting natural
history specimens, introduction to
geology and the age of the earth
(with fossils), Darwin’s impact and
relevance today. Image©Steve Devine, Illustration©Chrissie Morgan
What are the key variations between the different items in the display case? Pick one case
and describe the variations you can see?
During Darwin’s time most people thought the earth was 6,000 years old. What is
the evidence on display that this is inaccurate?
Illustration board: shows Darwin as a student at University of Cambridge. Darwin
struggled at University and rather than attending lectures, he spent his time shooting,
collecting beetles and observing nature.
What is the book and page number that contained Darwin’s first published work?
3. Voyage of the Beagle
‘In 1831 to 1836 Charles Darwin travelled around the
world in the HMS Beagle, a surveying ship’
Illustration board: During his voyage on the Beagle,
Darwin witnessed a huge range of habitats, from
tropical rainforests to deserts and volcanic bubbling
mud that triggered his fascination of the natural
world even further.
Choose one of the habitats illustrated, think of an
animal you might find there and identify the key
adaptations that suit it to living in that
Image©Steve Devine, Illustration©Chrissie Morgan
environment.
Reverse display case contains items Darwin saw and collected on the voyage of the Beagle
An object is illustrated on the opposite side and also appears in the object case? What is it?
What does it do and why is it important when sailing?
Can you think of a similar bird to the Rhea that is found on a different continent?
Can you identify some features of three different birds that Darwin collected whilst on the
Beagle that made them suited to their different habitats?
If you were Charles Darwin, what features of the mocking birds that you can see would make
you think that they could be different species?
4. Back in London: ideas begin to grow
After the Beagle voyage, Charles Darwin spent several years writing up scientific results of the
expedition and thinking about evolution.’
Illustration board:
Once Darwin had arrived home
from the voyage, he moved to
London and spent many years
collecting his thoughts from what
he experienced during his time on
the Beagle. He read many books,
observed closely and classified his
specimens, kept ordered notebooks,
met and talked to other scientists
to collaborate and swap ideas. His
work convinced him that evolutio
existed, but he wanted to
understand how it happened. Image©Steve Devine, Illustration©Chrissie Morgan
Reverse display case contains items investigating ‘What is a Species?’
Use this image (wolf skull) and pick two other dog skulls. Can you identify the features that
are similar between the three skulls and three that are different?
Image©Steve Devine
Like the butterflies and snails, can you think of another example that shows extreme
variation within a species?
From the evidence in this case how
would you describe a ‘species?’
5. Working methods at Down House
‘Charles Darwin moved to Down House in Kent with his family in 1842. He set up a number of different
methods to investigate evolution and natural selection.’
Illustrative board: Darwin moves to Down House in Kent with his wife, Emma, and his
family. There he continued with his experiments, particularly on barnacles and began to
collate his thoughts that lead to him write On the Origin of Species.
What personality traits did Darwin have that helped him to be a good scientist?
Which of your own personality traits do you think help you be a good scientist?
Display case explores how science works and Darwin’s range of working methods.
Describe the variety of methods that Darwin used in his research.
Image©Steve Devine
Who was Alfred Wallace? Why was he an important figure in Darwin’s life?
6. Publication of On the Origin of Species
‘Charles Darwin published his ideas on evolution by natural selection in November 1859, in a book that
caused a scientific revolution’
Illustrative board: On the Origin of Species which detailed Darwin’s ideas on the theory
of evolution by natural selection. The publication of this book caused a big stir. It was
front page news and people talked about it in the street. You can see a first edition of On
the Origin of Species in the display case.
Reverse display case explores evolution and natural selection. In On the Origin of
Species Darwin gathers the evidence that evolution has happened, based on
observations of domesticated plants and animals, the fossil record, distribution of plants
and animals and similarities in the organisation of their bodies.
Why did the darker (melanic) form of the Peppered Moth survive better in Manchester in the
19th century?
Pick one example from this display case of extreme adaption and natural selection between
Peppered Moths, Pan Moths and leaf insects. What adaptation would be beneficial to it and
allow it to survive?
Identify the main differences in the Tiger Moths? How does this natural variation occur?
Why do some males in some
species contain bright colours and
very decorative features and
plumage? Why might this be an
advantage? Can you think of some
other examples in the animal world?
7. Aftermath/Impact
‘Charles Darwin is one of the most important scientists in history.’
Illustrative board: Throughout his lifetime, Darwin’s
ideas became widely accepted and he was delighted
and surprised to receive a spontaneous round of
applause from the audience at a lecture he
attended. It was a proud moment for him and
confirmed that his work had made a
significant impact to the scientific community. It was
only after his death, when further discoveries were
being made, that we realised how Darwins ideas
were far beyond the time. Image©Steve Devine, Illustration©Chrissie Morgan
Using the timeline, name five scientific discoveries post Darwin (1882-2009) that really ce-
mented his theory of evolution as a scientific fact?
How many books did Darwin publish? Can you name them?
Considering the whole exhibition, which specimens do you think are the most convincing
evidence for the theory of evolution by natural selection?
Make an observational
scientific drawing of a
specimen of your choice
from the whole
exhibitionFurther questions to consider post-visit:
How did Darwin’s research methods differ from ones used today? Give some examples of
technology available today that would have helped him.
Why do you think On the Origin of Species had such an impact when it was published?
Why is it difficult to identify different species? How can modern-day science help?
What are the key steps in scientific methods? Can you describe them along with an example
of an experiment you have carried out either at school or home?
What is the different between a theory and fact? Can you give an example of both?
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