Village Green’s Fun Science Mini Lab

A mini study focusing on natural selection and competition was carried out in Dr. Venzen’s 5th-grade Science classroom. The characteristic that student scientists explored was adaptation. Upcoming scientists were made aware that adaptation to an environment is not solely based on the seasons. The food items students used were black beans, popcorn seed, lima beans, small red beans, and large red beans. The food items were first distributed, and then students were randomly given their beak utensils. Students quickly realize the quantity of food they would be able to gather based on their beaks. Seconds after realizing their dilemma, many students began to get very crafty with their attempts to get food. Let’s just say the classroom got very messy, laughter rang out in the room, as I observed “grand food theft” more so from beak holders whose beak was not well suited for gathering this type of food. Students gained an understanding that an organism’s adaptation to a particular environment occurs over time. The animal best suited to the environment will survive, reproduce, and pass on essential traits. While others may have to relocate in order to exist. Survival of the fittest! Another interesting and fun science lab in the books for Dr. Venzen and her 5th-graders!