6th Grade Biology Simulations
Natural Selection & Survival of the Fittest - Lab - Middle School Science
By The Science Cell
Are you looking for a hands-on, inquiry-based lab for your middle school students that demonstrates natural selection? This lab will do just that as it guides students to act as birds in a forest as they prey on skittles to see how the adaptation of camouflage helps a species survive. They will then collect data to see how the organisms with the fittest traits survive. The lab can be completed in one day and the graph and reflection questions will most likely take a second day to complete.
The simulation activity includes warm up questions, step by step instructions, a data table, line graph, and reflection questions. Students also use math skills to calculate population percentages and display them on a line graph.
Materials needed: skittles & green paper or green napkins (optional: polka dot napkins)
An answer key is included.
Your students will:
- Engage in visual and hands-on learning
- Apply knowledge
- Practice concepts
- Collect data
- Analyze data
- Draw conclusions
- Use math skills
- Explore real world application of science knowledge