Natural Selection Interactive Simulation | Life Science | Grades 6–8

This Interactive Simulation has grades 6–8 Middle School Life Science students run a hands-on classroom model of Natural Selection.

Driving question: "How does predation on different habitat backgrounds mathematically change the trait frequencies of a prey population over five generations?" Objective: Students will simulate visual predation on a polymorphic prey population across two contrasting habitats, calculate trait frequency percentages across five generations, and construct mathematical explanations for how natural selection alters populations.

What's inside: objective and background, a materials list (1 Dark Basalt Habitat mat (black felt…; 1 Light Desert Sand Habitat mat (pale…; 100 Dark Prey tokens (black…; Stopwatch or digital timer for timing…), an 8-step protocol, a data table, 4 analysis questions, and teacher notes.

Resource type: Interactive Simulation (.docx). Format: editable Microsoft Word lab handout with approximately 840 words (~5 pages).

Classroom use: a team investigation in a Middle School Life Science course. Grades 6–8.

Format note: These files are delivered in Microsoft Office formats (Word and/or PowerPoint). If you open a worksheet that includes tables in Apple Pages or another non-Microsoft app, table formatting may not display correctly. For best results, use Microsoft Word or PowerPoint (or upload the file to Google Docs). If you run into any formatting issues, contact us and we can send a PDF version.