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By Karen Schmeichel, Assistant Professor of Biology
April 27, 2007
 On Saturday April 21, a group of 10 students from Oglethorpe (plus myself and Roarke Donnelly, Assistant Professor of Biology) set out on a day-trip from Atlanta to Chicago with the purpose of visiting one of our country’s most important scientific museums, the Field Museum of Natural History.
Our early start time (5:30 a.m.) could have proven rather problematic with this hard-working, hard-playing college crowd, but to my great delight the group was prompt and organized at the airport with plenty of time to grab breakfast and manage a last-minute gate change.
At 10:30 a.m. we met Dr. David Willard, the Field Museum’s Bird Collection Manager and an internationally renown specialist on bird migration, for a behind-the-scenes tour of the museum’s bird collection. Dr. Willard escorted us (entry fees waived) as his personal guests into the museum.
“Behind-the-Scenes” is truly an apt term for our morning session with Dr. Willard. We started our visit with an invigorating trip up three flights of steps to the on-site bird collection and Dr. Willard’s laboratory. Without his guidance it would have been easy to get lost in the extensive storage and research facilities housed in the museum. These storage facilities were cavernous, filled with row after row of storage lockers containing multiple examples of birds collected since the late 1800s from all over the world.
Through his descriptions of particular bird species, the students revisited biological concepts important to the basics of evolution. We discussed specific examples of convergent evolution as revealed through feather coloring/patterning from two bird species derived from opposite sides of the world. We spent a significant amount of time viewing the dramatic plumage displayed by several male “birds of paradise.” These animals provide a classic example of a trade-off described by the “Handicap Hypothesis.” Males of these species display elaborate and dramatic feather arrays to attract mates but these same feather constructions are extremely energy expensive to make and cumbersome to carry around, making these males extremely vulnerable to predation. This example illustrates the extremes to which animals will resort to ensure the passing on of genes via successful reproduction. We also considered the energy cost of reproduction by females who are responsible for generating the egg itself. To illustrate several successful strategies of egg production utilized by reproducing females, we discussed the variability of egg shape, size and coloration in a range species. All of the demonstrations described above reinforced materials covered throughout the Oglethorpe Biology curriculum, and provided clear “A-ha” moments for both the students and their instructors.
Sarah Lykens, a senior in my Evolution class, requested that Dr. Willard show us the collection of Galapagos finches. This proved to be a great connection for the entire group who got to hear a bit about the historical context and the importance of these finches in the ongoing story of evolution. We could also visualize first-hand some of the morphological distinctions (which can be somewhat subtle to the unknowing observer) that are characteristic of these island birds and underlie their speciation.
The finale of our visit to the bird collection was a search for specimens of the “Stormy Petrel,” the mascot of Oglethorpe University. I think we were all somewhat surprised that the bird was quite small in size. And although its coloration was less than spectacular (being an overall dull brown), school pride showed through as the party gathered around the revered bird for a group photo.
After we left Dr. Willard, the students spent the rest of the day combing the museum and its abundant exhibits, including “Evolving Planet,” gave a comprehensive and chronological account of evolution of life as we know it. There was something for everyone in this exhibit. Some of us spent the entire afternoon ogling the fossil specimens and skeletal remains of prehistoric creatures. Others chose to combine their “Evolving Planet” experience with other displays such as “Africa,” “Tutahnkamun,” “Animal Biology” and “Treasures of the Titans.” We were also able to spend some time walking around the museum grounds which are shared by a variety of other museums and are found adjacent to the shores of Lake Michigan.
How many people on this planet are able to say that they spent the day in Chicago at arguably the most prominent natural history museum in our country for less than $10. total? I’m pretty sure the answer would be 12, and we were it! Thanks to our airline partner for sponsoring this trip. Our experience was unforgettable. |
