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7.58 Designing Simulations of Natural Selection Worksheet

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Worksheet Overview & Skills Covered

Core academic competencies and curriculum alignment

This Grade 7 Science worksheet provides structured practice on 7.58 Designing Simulations of Natural Selection. Students are guided through targeted exercises that build foundational understanding, computational accuracy, and critical thinking skills.

Designing Simulations of Natural Selection - Which simulation setup would best test the effect of changing conditions on trait frequency? (NGSS MS‑LS4‑6; SEPs: Using Mathematics)

Whether you are an educator preparing classroom handouts, a tutor reinforcing weekly topics, or a parent supporting homeschool learning, this printable resource gives students the deliberate practice required to achieve subject fluency and master state standards.

Grade

Grade 7

Subject

Science

Domain

Science Curriculum

Formats

PDF & DOCX

Sample Practice Problems

Preview the types of problems and questions covered in this worksheet

Below are sample questions representative of the exercises included on this worksheet and related 7.58 Designing Simulations of Natural Selection skill assessments:

Problem 1Difficulty: Mastery

Scientists are modeling natural selection in prairie dogs. At first, the environment is many predators nearby. Later, predators are removed from the area changes the environment to few predators nearby. The two traits are alert calls often and quiet behavior.

Which plan is the best simulation to measure how trait percentages shift when conditions change?

AUse paired simulations with the same randomization and starting population. The only difference is the environment change to 'low predator' halfway through. Run 20 repeats and use calculated averages and graphs to test the effect of the changing condition.

BHalfway through, redefine what counts as alert calls often and quiet behavior and then continue counting with the new definitions.

CKeep the environment the same (high predator) for the entire simulation and only talk about what might happen if it changed, without actually changing anything.

DDo the simulation for 22 generations but only count traits at the end, with no data collected during the run.

Solution & Explanation:The best setup changes only the environmental condition while keeping starting trait numbers, population size, survival rules, and data collection consistent. It measures trait frequencies over multiple generations and, when possible, uses repeated trials or averages. That lets students compare the before-and-after pattern and test whether the environmental change affects trait frequency without mixing in extra variables.

Problem 2Difficulty: Mastery

Fruit flies show two traits: fast development and slow development. Under food is available for a short time, one trait gives better survival. After trash is collected less often, conditions shift to food lasts longer, which favors the other trait. "

Which simulation design would give the strongest evidence that changing conditions can change trait frequency?,A. Build a computational simulation with constant population size. Run (1) a no-change control and (2) a changing-condition run where the environment parameter shifts from 'short food' to 'long food'. Keep mutation and migration off

Solution & Explanation:so several variables change together. | C. Run one simulation on short food starting with mostly fast development

Problem 3Difficulty: Mastery

In a population of sparrows, individuals can have either round bodies or slender bodies. When the habitat is cold season with strong winds, round bodies help more individuals survive. Then the area has warmer seasons for longer, and the habitat becomes warm season.

Which plan is the best simulation to measure how trait percentages shift when conditions change?

ARun one simulation on cold wind starting with mostly round bodies, then run a different simulation on warm starting with mostly slender bodies, and compare the endings.

BUse a small population (like 20 total) for only 3 trial(s) and decide the effect from that single run.

CUse paired simulations with the same randomization and starting population. The only difference is the environment change to 'warm' halfway through. Run 10 repeats and use calculated averages and graphs to test the effect of the changing condition.

DSwitch from cold wind to warm but also change the predator/survival rule and the number removed each generation, so several variables change together.

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QWhat grade level and standards does this worksheet align with?

This worksheet is designed specifically for Grade 7 Science students. It aligns with educational standard SCI.7.58 (Grade 7 science practice focused on designing simulations of natural selection.).