Here is a new evolution simulation. It tracks the evolution of a fictional species through 10,000 years. Students can select the starting population and starting environment. It is html5, so it should work on any device with internet access (however it is not optimized for mobile).
Also, the Teacher Guide post has been updated to include the newest simulation additions. The guide includes NGSS standards for each simulation on the site.
Let me know if you have any feedback!
This looks like a great simulation. I just played with it and I think the students would love this. I plan on integrating this in my biology classroom next year. I am glad that the teacher guide is there as well as the NGSS which make planning so much easier. Thanks for sharing this wonderful resource.
Thanks for sharing this resource Jolene. Have you used this for your class yet? Im curious what grade you used it for and how the students responded to it?
I have not used it in my classes yet (I do my evolution unit early in the year, and I didn't complete the simulation until recently). I intend to use it with freshmen as a review of natural selection/adaptations and to get them thinking about change over time and the effect of environment/random events. I think it can also be good for middle school initial teaching of natural selection and evolution.
Thank you for sharing, I think this will be awesome and low cost! Currently with my 8th graders I do a 'Clipbird' activity that was written by UC Berkley where students are investigating a fictional type of bird called a clipbird. They are given differing sizes of beaks (binderclips), and there a narration, there are certain changes that occur in the environment that change the type of food that is available. This in turn teaches them about evolution and adaptations. The students find it fun, hands on, and engaging!
https://ucmp.berkeley.edu/education/lessons/clipbirds/
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