Description

In this lesson, students discover how natural selection can change the number of specific traits in a population. Students will first work in pairs to create a “foraging” program for Cue, then participate in a class-wide simulation of natural selection for a key foraging trait: speed!

Objectives

• Be able to define biological traits and natural selection
• Provide examples of potential selection pressures acting on a population (e.g., predation, competition, environmental conditions, etc)
• Use Cue as a physical model to demonstrate how natural selection can change the proportion of traits in a population
• Create a program and discover how loops, variables, and IF statements can be used together in computer programming

Curriculum Connections Summary

• Ontario - Mathematics - Algebra (Coding) & Science
• Quebec - Science
• New Brunswick - Science
• Nova Scotia - Science & ICT
• Alberta - Science, ICT & CTF
• British Columbia - Science & ADST
• Manitoba - Science
• Prince Edward Island - Science
• Saskatchewan - Science
• Newfoundland & Labrador - Science
• Yukon Territories - Follow's B.C.'s Curriculum
• Northwest Territories - Follows Alberta's Curriculum
• Nunavut - Follows Alberta's Curriculum