Co-Evolution

Today during class we did a very interesting and unorthodox assignment. We filled a beaker with a mix of beans, noodles, and split peas. Then we were separated into three large groups and labeled as birds. Our beaks were plastic silverware, one group got a fork, one got a knife, and the last group got a spoon. After throwing the bean mixture onto an area of the floor, the whole class had to use their "beaks" to scoop up any food they could get and put it into their stomachs (their cupped non-dominant hands). We only had 30 seconds to eat and once time was up we returned to our assigned groups and counted how many beans, noodles, and split peas each group got. At first it was obvious that the spoons had the advantage over the other types of beaks. Once numbers were plugged into excel we had to replace a couple people into different groups, these "birds" developed a fork or spoon beak through evolution. After a couple feedings, knives were left with one "bird", forks had about 8, if i remember correctly, and spoons led with 10 "birds". In the end spoons trumped all beak types. This activity demonstrated natural selection because it showed that birds with the most helpful and efficient beaks (spoons) would be most successful getting the beans. It also shows that if a certain specie isn't getting the life necessities it will try to evolve and adapt to a different life style with different necessities so it can survive. Survival can also depend on the cooperation of other members of the specie. If one bird was full they could help the other birds get more food. Or, if one bird is by all the food they could help the others by throwing it where they could get to it. I was apart of the spoons and that is the strategy we developed toward the end. One or two birds were in the middle of the mix scooping it toward the rest of the spoons behind him so we could "eat" and help our numbers. It was a neat way to get the idea of co-evolution and natural selection. I really enjoyed it and hope to remember it when the time comes for me to teach it to my class!