Educating in Science, Educating in Values: Celebrating Darwin’s Anniversary

On February 12, 1809, Charles Darwin was born. His innate curiosity and theories on evolution and on the origin of species changed the way of conceiving human existence and did completely change science and society of the time.

Darwin’s figure represents the essence of scientific thinking, of research and of many values that are fundamental for society: observing, questioning, analyzing, persevering … all this with objectivity, rationality, methodology and commitment.

These values are vital foundations for science and for the evolution of man, both as an individual and as a society. This is the legacy left behind by Charles Darwin, at least the part that we consider most important to translate to schoolchildren.

The education in the values that Darwin represents will help build up the critical and analytical ability of the students, promoting the principles of research from early childhood and training and cultivating students´ critical thinking. This is essential in the information society we are immersed in.

In Elesapiens we want to contribute to the celebration of Darwin’s anniversary by offering free access to both our Darwin´s teaching units: “Darwin’s Adventure” and “Darwin’s Theories“. This offer will be valid on February 12th., 13th., and 14th.

These two units are designed to highlight the figure of Darwin and his most important work, The Origin of Species by Natural Selection. It is addressed to children aged 8 to 13 years in a simple, dynamic and funny way and its purpose is to serve schoolchildren as a playful introduction to topics studied in higher grades.

Videos, online activities, classroom or family games, sheets … These lesson plans have been created to foster among youngsters the interest in observing the environment, encouraging them to question things and search for the right answers to their questions.

Observing, asking questions, seeking answers….these are the basic and transverse principles that stimulate scientific research and pursuit of knowledge.

And on these principles we try to base on our work and educational content.

We hope that children and adults celebrate this anniversary by discovering Charles Darwin, his life, his long journey around the world, his scientific temper and the keys to his theory of evolution by natural selection.

Esperamos que niños y grandes celebren este aniversario descubriendo a Charles Darwin, su vida, su largo viaje alrededor del mundo, su talante científico y las claves de su teoría de la evolución por la selección natural.