Natural Selection Interactive Simulation

Natural selection acts on heritable variation. Individuals carrying a trait that improves survival (or reproduction) pass it on more often. After many generations the favoured trait becomes more common, shifting the population — this is evolution in action. Students can change selection pressure and generations and compare what happens. Use it for biology inquiry with Grades 4–5, Middle School, and High School on a projector or student device.

Standards: NGSS MS-LS4-4

• Why no selection pressure (0%) means neither trait changes over time
• How high selection pressure accelerates the spread of the favoured trait
• Why it takes many generations for a trait to dominate (gradual change)
• Real-world examples: peppered moths, antibiotic-resistant bacteria
• Why genetic variation is essential — selection can only act on existing traits

1. 1Predict how changing selection pressure will affect the favoured trait, then test the prediction.
2. 2Use evidence from the interactive visual to explain the result.

Questions teachers ask