This interactive, modular lab explores how stickleback fish and fossil specimens are used to study evolutionary processes, with an emphasis on data collection and analysis.

In this lab, students learn and apply techniques for analyzing the forms and structures of organisms — in particular, the pelvic structures of the threespine stickleback fish (Gasterosteus aculeatus), a model organism for studying evolution. The lab includes three modules in which students collect and analyze data using photographs of living fish specimens and fossils. Throughout this lab, students engage in key science practices, including making quantitative measurements, graphing data, and performing statistical analyses.

The lab contains an interactive lab space, an informational notebook, videos, and embedded quiz questions. It also includes supplementary resources, such as a glossary of scientific terms and a list of references.

The accompanying handouts provide structure and guidance as students perform the tutorials, experiments, and quizzes in the lab. The only difference between the “Basic” and “Advanced” versions of the handout is that the “Basic” version does not include the parts of the lab with chi-square analyses. The “Teacher Materials” provides background information, tips for using the virtual lab, and an answer key for the student handouts.

This lab is also available as an iOS app.