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Battling Beetles

Image from the activity

Topic

  • Evolution
  • Natural Selection
  • Population Genetics
  • Scientific Skills & Literacy
  • Visual & Physical Models

Resource Type

  • Activities
  • Labs & Demos

Level

High School — GeneralHigh School — AP/IB
Saved By
11 Users
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Description

This activity engages students in learning about the mechanism of evolution by natural selection and Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium using candies to represent populations of beetles.

Students begin by making observations about two containers of candies that they are told represent samples of male beetles from two different populations. They then perform an experiment to determine which population has a harder shell. They then use these data to make a claim about which beetles are more likely to survive and reproduce. They then apply these observations to the evolution of rock pocket mice.  

In the second part of the activity, students apply the Hardy-Weinberg equation to the beetle populations and learn to use the equation to model selection.

Student Learning Targets

  • Explain how variations in traits in a population may result in the differential survival and reproduction of individuals.

  • Calculate allele frequencies using the Hardy-Weinberg equation.

  • Summarize how the Hardy-Weinberg equation can be used to model selection.

Estimated Time

Two to three 50-minute class periods.

Key Terms

adaptation, experiment, fitness, frequency, gene pool, homozygous, heterozygous, population, predator, selection coefficient, survival

Terms of Use

Please see the Terms of Use for information on how this resource can be used.

Version History

Date Published 03.07.05

NGSS (2013)

HS-LS3-1, HS-LS4-2, HS-LS4-3, HS-LS4-4; SEP2, SEP4, SEP5, SEP6

AP Biology (2019)

EVO-1.C, EVO-1.E, EVO-1.H, EVO-1.J, EVO-1.K, EVO-1.L, EVO-1.M, EVO-1.O, IST-2.E, IST-4.A; SP1, SP3, SP4, SP5

IB Biology (2016)

5.2

AP Environmental Science (2020)

Topic(s): 2.1, 2.6
Learning Objectives & Practices: ERT-2.A, ERT-2.H, SP1, SP4, SP5, SP6

IB Environmental Systems and Societies (2017)

3.2

Common Core (2010)

ELA.RST.9–12.3, ELA.RST.9–12.7
Math.A-REI.3, Math.A-REI.5; MP2, MP4

Vision and Change (2009)

CC1; DP1, DP2, DP3

Materials

Student Handout (PDF) 160 KB
Teacher Materials (PDF) 297 KB
Selection Coefficient Workbook (Excel) 471 KB

Additional Materials

Access to a spreadsheet program

Use This Resource With

Video Resource
Simulating Evolution of a Rock Pocket Mouse Population

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