Using the extraordinary natural history of manakin courtship to teach fundamental concepts in evolution and behavior

Understanding the lives of interesting organisms engages our curiosity, and also serves as the foundation for deeper scientific inquiry. The transition from being a fascinated observer to actively generating and testing hypotheses about observations requires critical thinking skills.

We are currently developing four inquiry modules that combine the process of personal discovery in a system new to most students (Lance-tailed Manakins) with logical reasoning and reinforcing explanations of what we do (and don’t) know about specific concept areas: cooperation, sexual selection, sexual dimorphism, and sociality.

• Modules are short (<3min) video clips paired with HD footage from a streaming webcam deployed in 2017, and are designed to be used interactively with instructor-led discussions.

• Each module starts with an introduction to major questions about the focal concept. Then students are released to watch unnarrated footage of manakin interactions, and provided with an example set of prompting questions that instructors can use to structure their observations.

• Finally, students reconvene for discussion of their observations and ideas, and watch a summary video clip that fills them in on relevant research results, and identifies ongoing areas of research or uncertainty.

Our first module, released at the Evolution 2017 Meetings, focuses on cooperation and is available now (below). To receive notifications about new modules, please fill out the form at the top of the page and we will email you as they are released.

Exploring the Natural History of Lance-Tailed Manakins

Module 1: Cooperation

1. Introduction video
2. Unnarrated footage for students:
   1. Two Males Display for a Female 
   2. Close-up Dancing and Copulation 
   3. Female Lance-tailed Manakins Choose Mates Carefully
3. Summary video
4. Download Background Information For Instructors
5. Download Student Critical Thinking Worksheet