Natural Selection Simulation
Stage 5
Outcomes: A student analyses interactions between components and processes within biological systems
Content: LW4c. explain, using examples, how natural selection relates to changes in a population, eg in the development of resistance of bacteria to antibiotics and insects to pesticides
d. outline the roles of genes and environmental factors in the survival of organisms in a population
Link: http://www.sciencechannel.com/games-and-interactives/charles-darwin-game/
The simulation is an incredibly fun game to play and challenges students to think about the factors which create change in a population and what causes a population to be wiped out. The game is short enough for students to stay engaged and not get bored while still teaching students about natural selection. Furthermore, the events in the game have real impacts on the population that the player chooses so students have to actually apply knowledge of natural selection to win the game.
Activity: Students will be asked to play the survival game in class. The first four students to win three times will be given a small prize. Once a few more people have won the game, the teacher will split the class into 4 student groups with someone who has won the game in each group. In these groups students will discuss:
After the discussion, the students can then take the quiz and read through Darwin’s bio.
Stage 5
Outcomes: A student analyses interactions between components and processes within biological systems
Content: LW4c. explain, using examples, how natural selection relates to changes in a population, eg in the development of resistance of bacteria to antibiotics and insects to pesticides
d. outline the roles of genes and environmental factors in the survival of organisms in a population
Link: http://www.sciencechannel.com/games-and-interactives/charles-darwin-game/
The simulation is an incredibly fun game to play and challenges students to think about the factors which create change in a population and what causes a population to be wiped out. The game is short enough for students to stay engaged and not get bored while still teaching students about natural selection. Furthermore, the events in the game have real impacts on the population that the player chooses so students have to actually apply knowledge of natural selection to win the game.
Activity: Students will be asked to play the survival game in class. The first four students to win three times will be given a small prize. Once a few more people have won the game, the teacher will split the class into 4 student groups with someone who has won the game in each group. In these groups students will discuss:
- How long did their species last?
- What were the strategies they used to win the game?
- What were some things that caused mutations to be wiped out?
- List some mutations which helped your species survive and from what environmental factor?
- What worked and what didn’t?
- Why did your species gradually change over time?
- How does this support Darwin’s theory?
After the discussion, the students can then take the quiz and read through Darwin’s bio.