Activity 12: Investigating Natural
Selection
Source:
National Academy of Science
http://www.nap.edu/readingroom/books/evolution98/evol6-c.html
Purpose:
Students experience one mechanism for evolution through a
simulation that models the principles of natural selection and
helps answer the question: How might biological change have
occurred and been reinforced over time?
Materials: (per class of 32)
- 8 petri dish halves
- 8 36- x 44-in. pieces of fabric, 4 each of 2 different
patterns
- 8 sheets of graph paper
- 8 zip-type plastic sandwich bags containing 120 paper dots, 20
each of 6 colors (labeled "Beginning Population")
- 8 sets of colored pencils with colors similar to the paper dot
colors
- 8 zip-type plastic sandwich bags of spare paper dots in all
colors
- watch or clock with a second hand
- computer with spreadsheet software program (optional)
- 24 forceps (optional)
Time Frame:
3 class periods
Procedure/Assessment
WV IGO'S