Hands-On Learning Activities
Engaging, interactive activities that bring Galápagos wildlife to life in your classroom. From the famous Blue-footed Booby dance to salt crystal experiments with marine iguanas.
Interactive Learning Activities
Engage students with hands-on activities that make learning about Galápagos wildlife unforgettable. Each activity includes detailed instructions, materials lists, and assessment ideas.
hands on
2 activities
movement
1 activities
experiment
3 activities
creative
1 activities
research
1 activities
movementpairs
The Blue-Footed Booby Courtship Dance
Students will demonstrate understanding of Blue-footed Booby mating behavior through movement and observation.
Duration:20-30 minutes
Grade Levels:K-2, 3-5, 6-8
Steps:4 detailed steps
Key Materials:
Blue socks, blue construction paper, or blue tapeMusic (optional - rhythmic instrumental)Blue-footed Booby video clips (optional)+2 more
Subject Connections:
ScienceArtsSocial Studies
experimentsmall groups
Salt Crystal Investigation
Students will understand how marine iguanas remove excess salt from their bodies and observe salt crystal formation.
Duration:40-50 minutes
Grade Levels:3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Steps:4 detailed steps
Key Materials:
Table saltWarm waterClear containers or beakers+5 more
Safety Notes:
- • Do not taste salt water solutions
- • Wash hands after handling materials
Subject Connections:
ScienceMathGeography
hands onsmall groups
Build a Galápagos Food Web
Students will construct a food web showing relationships between Galápagos organisms and understand ecosystem connections.
Duration:45-60 minutes
Grade Levels:4-8, 6-8, 9-12
Steps:4 detailed steps
Key Materials:
Galápagos organism cards (marine iguana, blue-footed booby, sea lion, penguin, tortoise, finches, cacti, algae, fish, etc.)Yarn or string in different colorsScissors+4 more
Subject Connections:
ScienceMathSocial Studies
creativepairs
Design an Animal for the Galápagos
Students will design an imaginary animal perfectly adapted to a specific Galápagos environment using knowledge of real adaptations.
Duration:60-75 minutes
Grade Levels:3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Steps:4 detailed steps
Key Materials:
Large drawing paperColored pencils, markers, or crayonsCraft supplies (pipe cleaners, cotton balls, construction paper, etc.)+3 more
Subject Connections:
ScienceArtLanguage Arts
experimentsmall groups
Galápagos Volcano Eruption Experiment
Students will model volcanic eruptions and understand the geological processes that formed the Galápagos Islands.
Duration:45-60 minutes
Grade Levels:3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Steps:6 detailed steps
Key Materials:
Baking soda (2 tablespoons per group)White vinegar (1/4 cup per group)Red and yellow food coloring+8 more
Safety Notes:
- • Wear safety goggles to protect eyes from splashing
- • Keep materials away from eyes and mouth
Subject Connections:
ScienceMathGeography
hands onsmall groups
Building the Galápagos: Hotspot Island Chain Model
Students will demonstrate how a stationary hotspot creates a chain of islands as tectonic plates move, using the Galápagos as their model system.
Duration:60-75 minutes
Grade Levels:4-6, 6-8, 9-12
Steps:7 detailed steps
Key Materials:
Large shallow pan or trayCardboard strip (representing the Nazca Plate)Small candle or tea light (with adult supervision)+7 more
Safety Notes:
- • Only teachers handle fire and hot materials
- • Keep flammable materials away from candle
Subject Connections:
ScienceMathGeography
researchpairs
Darwin's Classification Challenge: Organizing Nature
Students will practice scientific classification skills by organizing specimens the way Darwin did during his HMS Beagle voyage, understanding how this led to insights about evolution.
Duration:45-60 minutes
Grade Levels:4-6, 6-8, 9-12
Steps:6 detailed steps
Key Materials:
Collection of natural specimens (shells, seeds, leaves, feathers)Magnifying glassesClassification charts or blank tables+6 more
Subject Connections:
ScienceMathHistory
experimentsmall groups
Moving Plates: Demonstrating How Islands Travel
Students will demonstrate plate tectonic movement and understand how the Nazca Plate carries the Galápagos Islands eastward over time.
Duration:30-45 minutes
Grade Levels:3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Steps:5 detailed steps
Key Materials:
Large sheets of different colored paper or foamScissorsTape or glue sticks+6 more
Subject Connections:
ScienceMathGeography