Knowledge/Skill Building
🧬 Natural vs Artificial Selection Lab
Critical Thinking & Problem Solving
Effective Communication
8.MS-LS4-4
8.MS-LS4-5
Big Ideas
Real-World Challenge
Learning Partners and Clients
Submission Required
Through a brief simulation using colored fish chips to represent heritable traits (temperature tolerance, body size), students model survival across three generations under changing water temperature and fishing pressure. The teacher explicitly connects allele frequency shifts to natural selection and contrasts this with hatchery-based artificial selection. Students record generational data in tables and graph trait frequency changes.
Plan day
Day 3
Duration
35 min
Grouping
Small Group
Steps
6 steps
Lesson plan
6 steps · 35 min| # | What teachers do |
|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction: Set the context with a brief discussion on human impact on ecosystems and biodiversity. (5 min) |
| 2 | Simulation Setup: Distribute colored fish chips to groups and explain how they represent different genetic traits under study. (5 min) |
| 3 | Generation 1 Simulation: Students simulate environmental pressures by adjusting the 'survival' of fish based on color-coded traits. Record data. (10 min) |
| 4 | Discussion: Introduce and compare artificial selection. Use examples of hatcheries to contrast natural with artificial selection. (5 min) |
| 5 | Reflect & Record: Students individually reflect on and record observations on allele shifts across generations in their worksheets. (5 min) |
| 6 | Preparation for Presentation: Groups start outlining how they'll present their findings and solutions for a biodiversity challenge. (5 min) |
Preparation (1 item)
- Gather colored fish chips, data recording sheets, and examples of artificial selection for the discussion.
Student-facing instructions
You will use colored fish chips to simulate natural selection over several generations under different environmental pressures. Pay close attention to how certain traits affect survival rates. Record your data, observe changes in trait frequencies, and reflect on how artificial selection interfaces with this process. You will work in groups to discuss and prepare a brief presentation on your findings.