Write down at least three differences that you observe in this model as compared with the previous model.
Overview
In this lesson, students investigate how natural selection affects the genetic constitution of a population over time. They design and perform an experiment about natural selection in the case of rock pocket mice using a computational model to test their hypotheses.
Standards
Next Generation Science Standards
Computational Thinking in STEM
- Data Practices
- Analyzing Data
- Manipulating Data
- Visualizing Data
- Modeling and Simulation Practices
- Using Computational Models to Find and Test Solutions
- Using Computational Models to Understand a Concept
- Computational Problem Solving Practices
- Troubleshooting and Debugging
- Systems Thinking Practices
- Investigating a Complex System as a Whole
- Thinking in Levels
- Understanding the Relationships within a System
Credits
Unit co-designed by Sugat Dabholkar in consultation with Teresa Granito of Evanston Township High School
Acknowledgement
CODAP is a computational tool for data analysis and representation developed and built by The Concord Consortium at https://codap.concord.org/
The first four lessons are based on a Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Biointeractive (https://www.hhmi.org/biointeractive/pocket-mouse-evolution)
Lesson 5 is based on the lesson Evolution in Action: The Galápagos Finches Authored by Paul Strode for Howard Hughes Medical Institute based on data collected by Peter and Rosemary Grant, Princeton University.
This work is supported by the National Science Foundation (grants CNS-1138461, CNS-1441041 and DRL-1020101) and the Spencer Foundation (grant 201600069). Any opinions, findings, conclusions, and/or recommendations are those of the investigators and do not necessarily reflect the views of the funding organizations.
Activities
- 1. Getting to know the model
- 2. Exploring the model
- 3. Performing an investigation using the model
- 4. A big idea
Student Directions and Resources
In this lesson, you will investigate how natural selection affects the genetic constitution of a population over time. You will design and perform an experiment about natural selection in the case of rock pocket mice using a computational model to test your hypothesis.
1. Getting to know the model
This model is similar to the previous model. Just play with the model for a few minutes. Change the parameters and make observations.
Question 1.1
Question 1.2
Write down at least two observations that you find interesting in this model.
2. Exploring the model
Question 2.1
Explain how the value set by the 'predation' slider affects the population size.
(Try setting at least five different values before explaining the effects.)
Question 2.2
Start with a mixed population. Let the simulation run for at least 100 generations. Now change the background. Let it run for 100 generations again.
Repeat the experiment a few times with different backgrounds.
Write down your observations.
Question 2.3
Explain the observations that you wrote as your answer to the previous question.
3. Performing an investigation using the model
Question 3.1
Write a question about Natural Selection in case of the pocket mice which can be answered using this model.
An example of such a question would be: how does the genotype frequency of the population change if a mutant is introduced to a population of homozygous-recessive mice?
Question 3.2
Based on your exploration of the model, guess an answer to your question and state it in the form of a testable statement (hypothesis) - something that you can test using the model.
Question 3.3
Design an experiment to test your hypothesis. Explain your design.
Question 3.4
Perform the experiment. Describe your observations and explain whether those support your hypothesis or not.
* You can record your data in a word or excel file and upload in the next question to support you answer.
Question 3.5
Upload a word, excel or any other file here if you have used it record and analyze data.
Upload files that are less than 5MB in size.
| File | Delete |
|---|---|
Upload files to the space allocated by your teacher.
4. A big idea
Question 4.1
Mention and describe a big idea that you learned in this lesson.
