Guppy Guppy Evolution

It’s no secret that evolution is a tricky subject to explain to a child, and is often seen as more than a little controversial. But when boiled down to its simplest meaning – living creatures change over time – evolution seems less perplexing and we can begin to open up a discussion with our kids. After all, evolution is the cornerstone of the life sciences, and kids that have a general grasp of the subject are better prepared to learn about life on our planet.

Guppy Guppy Evolution is a free storybook app that introduces users to a guppy named Gus in a tropical stream. By tapping the screen, kids can bring Gus and the other stream creatures to life and hear what they have to say about the story of evolution in their stream. On the home screen you can access videos that go in more depth on the foundational concepts of evolution and how the humble guppy fish has increased our understanding of how living things change through time. You can also visit the Guppy Guppy Evolution website to learn more about how scientists study guppies to better understand evolution.

Unfortunately there aren’t a lot of resources out there for parents to begin to expose their children to basic evolutionary concepts. We hope the Guppy Guppy Evolution app, website, and videos will be a launching point for you to begin to discuss evolution and the beauty of life on Earth with your children. Have fun!

Guppy Guppy Evolution was made possible by a grant from the National Science Foundation.