Speciation Activity: Simulate Evolution of New Species: NGSS: Distance Learning

In brief, students begin by generating questions based upon experimental results (Powerpoint Slide included). Then, they read about several types of speciation. Then, students simulate speciation within a hypothetical population of frogs, using manipulatives to create a model. Finally, students answer post-activity questions.

A. NEXT GENERATION SCIENCE STANDARDS HEREIN

DCI’s: LS3.B: Variation of traits

LS4: Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity

Cross Cutting Concepts: Patterns, Cause and Effect, Scale, Proportion and Quantity, Systems and Models, Stability and Change

Scientific and Engineering Practices:

Asking Questions and Defining Problems

Analyzing and Interpreting Data

Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions

Developing and Using Models

B. SUGGESTED USES

Prior Knowledge: Students should have a foundational understanding of evolution by natural selection.

"Evolution Unit Bundle" includes everything you need to teach a unit on Evolution, and its NGSS aligned.

Get it here: Evolution Unit Bundle

"Evidence for Evolution: Stations Lab" explores six lines of evidence that support evolution by natural selection. Each line of evidence is its own station, and students use inquiry to complete the lab.

Get it here: Evidence for Evolution Stations Lab

"Hacking Cladograms" is a student-centered activity that walks students through how to interpret, and create a cladogram.

Get it here: Hacking Cladograms

"Adaptations Project" involves researching a specific organism's adaptations, and constructing a physical model of an adaptation. It is NGSS aligned.

Get it here: Adaptations Project

"Antibiotic Resistance Lab" models the evolution of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Students then simulate the evolution of a “superbug” infection

Get it here: Antibiotic Resistance Lab

"Thinking Like Darwin" is a a good intro activity when teaching evolution, requiring students to make connections, and draw generalizations, about organisms that live in three different locations in the world.

Get it here: Thinking Like Darwin

"Adaptations Project" involves researching a specific organism's adaptations, and constructing a physical model of an adaptation. It is NGSS aligned.

Get it here: Adaptations Project

Implementing the Lesson:

Materials and Setup: Dice, coloring utensils, glue, scissors, and this packet.

I suggest the teacher begins the lesson with the “Do Now Speciation Intro Slide” that comes with the download. The slide asks students to generate questions about an experiment that is described. The results of the experiment show that a fruit fly population, which is divided into two enclosures, and fed different food sources, preferred not to mate with the other population once it was reintroduced 35 generations later. The intro activity primes students’ brains to think about speciation, and encourages a discussion about how organisms change, and why they eventually become separate species.

This rest of the activity is designed for students to be able to read, and walk through, the packet without too much help from the teacher. However, I am sure you will have to give a brief overview, and facilitate as the students encounter new terms and concepts.

I’ve included answers, with suggest point values for each task. All materials are editable.

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