Natural Selection Because of Different Color: Camouflage

Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council

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In this activity (p.5-6 of PDF), learners investigate natural selection. Learners discover that natural selection, which takes place over decades, can lead to altered populations within a species. Use this activity to explain the role of pollution and how humans can impact populations as well as compare natural selection to the development of antibiotic resistance in bacteria, which occurs much more quickly.

Preparation Time:: Under 5 minutes
Learning Time:: 10 to 30 minutes
Estimated Materials Cost:: $5 - $10 per group of students
Age Range:: Ages 8 - 11
Resource Types:: Activity, Demonstration, Lesson/Lesson Plan
Language:: English

Materials List (per group of students)

Peppered moth template (p.17 of PowerPoint presentation)
Black and white sheets of material (craft foam) from which can be cut into moth-shapes; need enough to make 10 moths of each color
Background sheets: large 45 x 30 cm, sheets of the same/similar material colors as the moths (black and white)
Hook and loop fastener (Velcro)
Boards (polyboard about 1 cm thick; light, easy to stick pins in)
Pins
Silhouettes or pictures of different moth species
Pieces of coal (optional)

Keywords

Subjects

Life Sciences
- Diversity of Life
  - Animals
- Ecology
  - Populations
  - Human Impact
- Evolution
  - Mechanisms of Evolution
The Nature of Technology
- Technology and Society
  - Impacts of Technology
  - Technology and the Environment

Informal Categories

Animals
Nature and Environment

Audience

To use this activity, learners need to:

see
see color
be mobile
touch

Learning styles supported:

Involves hands-on or lab activities

Other

Components that are part of this resource:

Associated Notes

This resource is part of:

Access Rights:

Free access

By:

Cavanagh, Dave ; Pickup, Nikki ; Cavanagh, Laura