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Year 9

A model of natural selection

I can use a model of natural selection to make predictions about how a population will change over time.

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New

Year 9

A model of natural selection

I can use a model of natural selection to make predictions about how a population will change over time.

Download all resources

Share activities with pupils

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Lesson details

Key learning points

A simple model can be used to demonstrate natural selection, e.g. picking up green and white cocktail sticks from grass.
The model can be used to make predictions about how a population will change over time due to natural selection.
The prediction may change if the environmental conditions change (e.g. if the grass becomes frosty/snowy).

Keywords

Natural selection - Organisms that are better adapted to their environment are more likely to survive, reproduce and pass on their genes to their offspring.
Model - Scientists use models as simpler representations of complex things and ideas.
Hypothesis - An idea based on observations about how something works.
Prediction - A scientific prediction is a testable statement about a possible outcome of an experiment.

Common misconception

Thinking that populations of organisms stay the same forever.

This model clearly demonstrates that populations change over time due to natural selection, with advantageous traits (e.g. camouflage) becoming more common in the population.

To help you plan your year 9 science lesson on: A model of natural selection, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

If you cannot do the model experiment outside, you can paint half the cocktail sticks to match the floor, or a mat, carpet or rug, and the other half to contrast with it, then carry out the experiment indoors instead. Lollipop sticks can be used instead of cocktail sticks.

Teacher tip

Content guidance

Risk assessment required - equipment

Supervision

Adult supervision required

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Worksheet

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.

Individuals with advantageous characteristics are more likely to survive and reproduce. This leads to a process called natural .

Correct Answer: selection

Q2.

There are differences between these two individuals of the same species of peppered moth. Which word do we use in science for these differences?

competition

natural selection

Correct answer: variation

reproduction

Q3.

Which moth has an advantage in the competition to hide from predators?

the light-coloured moth

Correct answer: the dark-coloured moth

neither moth has an advantage

both moths have the advantage

Q4.

Which moth is the most likely to survive to reproduce?

the light-coloured moth

Correct answer: the dark-coloured moth

neither moth is likely to survive to reproduce

the two moths are equally likely to survive to reproduce

Q5.

The genes for which type of colouration are most likely to become more common in later generations of the moths?

the genes for light-colouration

Correct answer: the genes for dark-colouration

the genes for both types of colouration will be equally common

Q6.

Most of the trees in the moths’ habitat change to have light-coloured bark. Put the statements in order, to explain how this could cause the population of moths to change.

1 - the light-coloured moths are now better camouflaged, so have an advantage

2 - their advantage will help them in the competition to hide from predators

3 - they are more likely to survive and reproduce

4 - this means they can pass on the genes for light-colouration to their offspring

5 - over generations light-coloured moths will become more common in the population

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.

In the model of natural selection, what do the cocktail sticks represent?

habitat

predators

Correct answer: prey

advantage

natural selection

Q2.

In the model of natural selection, what do the students picking up the cocktail sticks represent?

habitat

Correct answer: predators

prey

environmental change

natural selection

Q3.

There is variation in colour between the individual cocktail sticks. The green cocktail sticks are better to stay hidden from predators in the grass.

Correct Answer: adapted, camouflaged

Q4.

Because they are better camouflaged against the grass, the green cocktail sticks have an in the competition to hide from the predators.

Correct Answer: advantage

Q5.

Whose prediction is most likely to come true after several rounds of the natural selection model experiment?

Jacob: “Most of the cocktail sticks left on the grass will be white.”

Correct answer: Jun: “Most of the cocktail sticks left on the grass will be green.”

Sofia: “There will be equal numbers of each colour left on the grass.”

Q6.

The natural selection model experiment is played on grey concrete instead of green grass. Whose prediction is most likely to come true after several rounds of the experiment?