Young people from Kent and the Galapagos Islands twin for Darwin's birthday

As part of the BBC's Darwin season, pupils from three schools close to Down house where Darwin lived for 40 years will be twinning with young people living on the Galapagos Islands.

The young people in the UK will be joining together for one day only as part of a live broadcast on BBC News to hear what local children at the Charles Darwin Research Foundation think of Darwin and his work.

Greenhouse questions

The pupils responsible for asking the questions are from Cudham Primary, Downe House Primary and Charles Darwin Secondary schools. They got together at Darwin's greenhouse at Down House to brainstorm questions for local children at the Research Foundation.

At first nervous about asking their questions in front of the cameras, everyone involved soon took to
broadcasting like true professionals, earning praise from the BBC News crew.

Their questions will be taken on a DVD by environment and science correspondent David Shukman.  David and his team are filming the replies in the Galapagos and bringing them back to the UK in time for a special broadcast from Darwin’s home on 12 February.

The UK pupils will be returning to Down House for to see what answers the young people in the Galapagos came up with. The footage will be shown on BBC news on Darwin's 200th birthday.

Schools around the world will also be invited to join in for a web chat where they will be able to ask their own questions to the children on the Galapagos. Read more about getting your school involved in the BBC's Darwin season.

How did they do that?

Cudham Primary, Downe House Primary and Charles Darwin Secondary schools were chosen to participate by BBC News because of their schools’ proximity to Down House. They are twinning with the Charles Darwin Research Foundation for one day only, but more long term international twinning partnerships can be fostered by joining BBC World Class.

If your school would like to get involved in the web chat, teachers should click here to read examples of the questions we’ve already sent and ideas on what to ask.

Read about the Charles Darwin Research Foundation and The Galapagos Foundation Trust.

Find out about the BBC News team in the Galapagos and read their reports.

Find out more about the BBC's Darwin season and British Council Darwin events around the world which you may be able to share with your twin school.

Join BBC World Class and our partners will help you twin.

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