SYNOPSIS

Demonstrate how natural selection operates, using different colored paper chips to represent prey and a piece of fabric as a background (the environment). The predator (student) will hunt (select chips) to show that the best adapted, by color, are NOT chosen, and others which are poorly adapted (by standing out) ARE chosen (removed). Thus, the best adapted survive and reproduce to pass on their traits. Survivors then "reproduce", and subsequent generations are preyed upon. Variation is random. Selection is not. 1. Environmental pressures determine the "fitness" of a variation.

PRINCIPAL CONCEPT

ASSOCIATED CONCEPTS

2. Traits that are selected for (are "fitter") will be passed on to the offspring.

ASSESSABLE OBJECTIVES Students will....

use models to explain how various traits may increase the ability of organisms to survive.