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Evolution, the Galapagos, and the “Tooth and Claw” Play (April 16, 2004, Two)

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Program Summary

In 1995, at the Charles Darwin Scientific Research Center in the Galapagos, local fishermen staged a strike to protest limits on fishing imposed by the Ecuadorian government. At the center of the conflict was Chantal Blanton, an American woman, who was the director of the Charles Darwin Research Station.

As the story broke about the battle between fishermen and conservationists, a playwright living a continent away was listening to the radio and got an idea. Inspired by real-life events—the conflict between scientists’ work, conservationists’ work and the troubles they got into when they began placing restrictions on the fishermen’s activities—Ira’s guest Michael Hollinger wrote “Tooth and Claw” a new play that opened recently at the Ensemble Studio Theatre in New York.

What happens when priorities conflict—when economics clash with environmental ideals? Ira and his guest talk about Darwin, drama, evolution, conservation, and the environment and how art and life inspire each other.

Guests

Michael Hollinger, playwright of “Tooth and Claw” and assistant professor at the Theater Department of Villanova University in Villanova, Pennsylvania

Related Links and Resources

For Discussion:

• Where are the Galapagos Islands and why are these isolated islands significant in terms of species, adaptations, and evolution?
• What is biodiversity?
• Who was Charles Darwin and what is his connection to the Galapagos?
• Why is it important to conserve local species?
• Why do you think fishermen might oppose restrictions on fishing for specific species? Is this fair?
• What changes could be made to accommodate both fishermen and environmentalists?

Activities

Galapagoing-going-gone? The Galapagos—Islands Suspended in Time from Web Quest invites students to become experts on the Islands’ ecosystem. By challenging them to look at the “who, what, where, when, and why” of human encroachment on these islands, students gain insight into the ecosystems, the politics, and the ecology. A brief but interesting teacher’s page has helpful suggestions for directing students into different aspects of the Galapagos, from their history and population to the interaction of communities and ecosystems.

Lesson plants. Galapagos: Beyond Darwin from DiscoverySchool.com is an interesting lesson plan that deals with the difference between endemic and introduced plant species and how they can affect each other.

Celebrate biodiversity. Why care about biodiversity? What would happen to this planet if more and more species just disappeared? Why Preserve Biodiversity? is an interesting lesson plan from National Geographic. Students explore the importance of maintaining ecosystems and biodiversity, and what it means for a species to become endangered or extinct. Empowering extension activities invite students to write to conservation societies and research successful preservation programs.

Galapago-go. For some solid, kid-friendly information about the Galapagos Islands, their marine life, bird life, land animals, and Charles Darwin, check out the Galapagos Conservation Trust Kids Corner. More in-depth information about conservation, specific species, and issues in the news can be found at the Galapagos Conservation Trust home page. The Charles Darwin Foundation and Research Station Kids Corner also has a rich selection of helpful information.

Cyber expedition. Take a cyber field trip to the Galapagos with Scientific American Frontiers’ Destination: Galapagos Islands. The Teaching Guide has engaging activities that range from water and soil testing to animal classification, backyard field work, and a fascinating exercise challenging students to view Darwin’s natural selection theory in a whole new light by using DNA modeling.

Oil spill. Nurturing Nature from The New York Times Learning Network gives students a chance to explore the role of humans in environmental disasters. By reading and analyzing an article describing an oil spill that affected the Galapagos Islands, students delve into the causes, possible prevention methods, and laws and regulations surrounding a specific environmental problem. They then write letters to environmental organizations stating their views. Extension activities include round-table role-playing and studying specific species that were affected by the spill and how what happened to them affected the entire ecosystem.

Use the search box below to perform a Google search within any of the specifc sites or general domains mentioned in this Activities section.

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