Gene banks to maintain biodiversity - Save our seeds

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Science Evolution and genetics

Gene banks to maintain biodiversity - Save our seeds

This case study takes students to the Millennium Seed Bank and shows how scientists are working hard to preserve many of the world’s plant species. Resources in English.

Introduction English resources Related resources

Introduction

Learning objectives

Investigate the development of scientific methods and understanding.
Understand the importance of maintaining biodiversity and the use of gene banks.

Students’ outcomes

To understand how current scientific technology and research is used in practical conservation.

Resources in English

Gene banks to maintain biodiversity - Save our seeds

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Science

Genetics, taxonomy and marine iguanas

In this activity (suitable for GCSE students), students will use genetic data to identify subspecies of marine iguana and understand how this data can help conservation efforts. Resources in English.

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Galapagos giant tortoise amongst vegetation

Science

Evolution in a day

Having trouble getting to grips with teaching evolution? Let the animals of the Galapagos take you on an evolutionary adventure. Resources in English and Spanish.

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Science

Evolution of the Galapagos giant tortoise

This activity investigates how Galapagos giants have evolved to become separate species. How do we know which island a tortoise is from just by looking at it? Resources in English and Spanish.

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Science

Evolution of a mockingbird

This activity unravels the mystery of the mockingbird and how the Thenca of Chile helped Darwin on his voyage of discovery ‘On the Origin of Species.’ Resources in English and Spanish.

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Aldabra giant tortoise on a beach in the Seychelles

13th Jun 2025

Evolution and genetics Island restoration

Aldabra and Galapagos giant tortoises: A shared evolutionary story

We take a look at the parallel histories of Aldabra and Galapagos giant tortoises, and the ways in which both are now helping to restore island ecosystems.

28th May 2025

Evolution and genetics History of Galapagos

On the Origin of Natural Selection Webinar 2025

At our webinar on 27 May, Dr Henry Nicholls discussed the importance of Galapagos to Charles Darwin and the impact that his thinking has had on how we see the Islands today.

8th Apr 2025

Evolution and genetics Geology

Elemental Galapagos: Birth of an Archipelago

GCT Ambassador and author Dr Henry Nicholls explores the forces that shaped the Galapagos Islands and filled them with life.

28th Mar 2025

Evolution and genetics

Evolution in real time: An interview with Peter and Rosemary Grant

Peter and Rosemary Grant’s long-running study of Darwin’s finches has revealed evolution to be a more dynamic and unpredictable process than Charles Darwin could ever have imagined.

Gene banks to maintain biodiversity - Save our seeds

Introduction

Learning objectives

Students’ outcomes

Resources in English

Gene banks to maintain biodiversity - Save our seeds

Available downloads

More resources like this

Genetics, taxonomy and marine iguanas

Evolution in a day

Evolution of the Galapagos giant tortoise

Evolution of a mockingbird

Related articles

Aldabra and Galapagos giant tortoises: A shared evolutionary story

On the Origin of Natural Selection Webinar 2025

Elemental Galapagos: Birth of an Archipelago

Evolution in real time: An interview with Peter and Rosemary Grant

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