How Charles Darwin Discovered Evolution on the HMS Beagle

Miacademy & MiaPrep Learning Channel

This educational video provides a comprehensive overview of Charles Darwin's historic voyage on the HMS Beagle, detailing the specific observations that led to his groundbreaking theory of natural selection. Viewers follow Darwin's journey from a young, uncertain graduate to a seasoned naturalist, exploring key locations like Cape Verde, Brazil, Patagonia, the Galápagos Islands, and Australia. The narrative connects his biography with scientific inquiry, showing how personal experiences and field observations gradually dismantled the prevailing static view of life on Earth. The video explores major scientific themes including deep time, geological change, adaptation, biodiversity, and the concept of common ancestry. It highlights specific biological examples—such as the specialized beaks of finches, the distinct shells of giant tortoises, and the existence of marine fossils in mountain ranges—to illustrate the evidence Darwin collected. Additionally, the video touches on the social and historical context of the 19th century, including the influence of Charles Lyell's geology and Darwin's moral confrontation with the slave trade. For educators, this resource serves as an excellent anchor for units on evolution, the history of science, or the scientific method. It humanizes a scientific icon, demonstrating that great discoveries often come from years of careful observation, questioning, and synthesis rather than instant eureka moments. The video provides multiple entry points for classroom activities, from mapping the voyage and analyzing biological adaptations to discussing the ethics of scientific publication and historical context.