California Academy of Science
Color Vision Genetics Evolution Simulation
At one point, all mammals carried only two color receptors, but now most humans carry three. An informative presentation and hands-on activity demonstrate how this evolved through genetics. By participating in the activity, pupils...
Curated OER
Take A Splash into the Gene Pool
Fifth graders perform a simulated experiment where they use simple genetic coding to crreate a personl.
Curated OER
Bears of Banff
Learners pretend they have just entered a national park. They imagine that the park borders are all impassable mountains, and students will play the role of grizzly bears. Learners list three things every animal needs to survive, in this...
Curated OER
Modeling a Gene Pool
In this genetic worksheet, high schoolers examine how gene frequency changes in a population of organisms. After completing 5 pre-lab questions, they work in pairs to collect data and answer 5 additional post-lab questions.
Curated OER
Beauty: Patterns in Nature
Young scholars explore the patterns of nature. In this interdisciplinary lesson plan, students examine beauty in nature and participate in a hands-on simulation that demonstrates how human preferences for beauty have led to an increased...
University of Washington
Toothpick Fish
With colored toothpicks representing genes, youngsters practice passing them through generations of fish and learn about heredity. Consider this as an introductory activity since it does not represent recessive genes with lowercase...
Curated OER
Natural Selection
Students examine adaptation through a hands-on activity and determine how the gene pool can affect adaptability. They simulate a predator and prey relationship by going on a hunt for colored acetate disks. After a three minute hunt, they...
Curated OER
Camouflage and Protective Coloration: A Model of Natural Selection
Students study protective coloration and camouflage in animals. They create examples of each and conduct simulation-type experiments to determine which is the most effective adaptation.
Curated OER
Toothpick Fish
Students experiment with genes and environment for a population of "Toothpick Fish."
Curated OER
Allele Frequencies and Sickle Cell Anemia Lab
Pupils investigate how selective forces like food, predation and diseases affect evolution. In this genetics lesson, students use red and white beans to simulate the effect of malaria on allele frequencies. They analyze data collected...
Curated OER
Camouflage and Protective Coloration: A Model of Natural Selection
Students collect data and compare whether protective coloration or camouflage provides better biological fitness in a given environment. They simulate predator prey interactions of two different species and use gene frequencies to...
Curated OER
Genetics the Easy Way
Students use recyclable trash to construct a Recycle Critter family. They calculate the probability of the phenotype of the offspring that two heterozygous parents produced.
Curated OER
Establishing Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium
Students study how Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium was established and what assumptions and conditions are necessary to reach Equilibrium. They record class data on their charts. Frequencies are calculated.