Sampler: Evolution
Our Evolution Sampler contains the following labs as well as installation CD and workbooks.
Demo video availableCourse Pack | SimUTextLab: Hardy, Weinberg and Kuru  $3$5Uses Kuru disease in New Guinea to teach Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Students discover the equilibrium principle from their observations, and play with violating the assumptions to explore the mechanisms of evolution. Also see the effect of heterozygote advantage. Suitable for both intro bio and advanced courses. View sample screen Level: Intro or Advanced Key Concepts: Hardy-Weinberg Equation | Punnett squares Courses: Evolution | Hardy-Weinberg | Intro Bio: Eco/Evo/Genetics | Population Genetics |
Lab: Sickle-Cell Alleles $3$5An interactive simulation of the classic malaria and sickle-cell anemia system is used to explore natural selection and genetic drift. Students examine African villages with different malaria death rates. First they use the Hardy-Weinberg equation to calculate the expected proportion of sickle-cell carriers from HbS and HbA allele frequencies. Then they examine how the allele frequencies change with changes in malaria risk and with different "founder" scenarios. Finally they explore genetic drift without selection by looking at different-sized villages where both diseases have been cured. An optional advanced section allows independent exploration of evolutionary forces using a basic population genetics model with adjustable parameters for selection strength, immigration rate, and population size. This is one of our most popular labs for introductory biology courses. View sample screen Level: Intro Key Concepts: Genetic drift | Hardy-Weinberg Equation | Natural selection Courses: Evolution | Hardy-Weinberg | Intro Bio: Eco/Evo/Genetics | Intro Bio: Non-majors | Population Genetics Reviews: "We used the Sickle-Cell EcoBeaker™ lab with all 1100 freshman enrolled in our majors biology course in the fall of 2003. The results truly impressed me — I felt like the students had a much stronger grasp of Hardy-Weinberg theory as a result of this interactive exercise and exam scores went up as well. " Dr. Linda Walters, Central Florida University, Majors Introductory Biology "I had great success using your EcoBeaker™ labs, Keystone Predator and Sickle-Cell Alleles, in my BIO102 General Biology II class (4 lab sections, 96 students) this spring semester. " Dr. Daniel Vogt, Plattsburgh State University, General Biology "This is just a quick email to let you know that the Sickle-cell lab went very well last week!! The TAs thought it went very well and the feedback from number of students I spoke to was also very positive. ...I was very pleased to be able to introduce this topic into a compulsory course here at the Technion in a Faculty that has major emphasis on molecular biology and less on populations, ecology and evolution." Dr. Debbie Lindell, Technion, Israel |
Lab: Flowers and Trees $3$5Introduces students to evolutionary trees using an interactive simulation of Columbine flower diversification. Students observe Columbine populations split and diverge while an expanding evolutionary tree illustrates each population's history. Students further learn to interpret evolutionary trees by creating their own and reconstructing the history of mystery populations. Suitable for both introductory and advanced biology and evolution courses.
View sample screen Level: Intro or Advanced Key Concepts: Evolutionary trees | Neutral evolution | Phylogenetic reconstruction | Tree-thinking Courses: Evolution | Intro Bio: Eco/Evo/Genetics | Intro Bio: Non-majors | Macroevolution Reviews: "I did tell you that I like EvoBeaker very much. The programs compliment each other really well and I'd love to work with several of them that highlight common ancestor, but I am limited in the time I have. I am going to try to fit in two of them, near the end of the semester. I think 'Flowers and Trees' with its phylogenetic trees and either Dogs or HIV, to get the sequence comparisons. " Dr. Robert Hodson, University of Delaware, 600 Student Introductory Biology Class "I was very impressed with the lab exercises when I ran through them last night — they are not only fun, but move seamlessly through the logic of building cladograms. I will definitely incorporate the lab into my future classes. " Dr. Robin Andrews, Virginia Tech University "I just wanted to let you know that we've completed our first lab of the three as of yesterday [Flowers and Trees]. The students thought it was "easy" and yet, were challenged as they continued to work through the exercises. It was not only promising, but reinvigorating for the Teaching Assistants who had taught it prior to this semester. Thank you!! We're looking forward to completing the next one soon." Dr. Faye Farmer, Arizona State University, Introductory Biology Course |
Lab: How the Guppy Got Its Spots $3$5Recreate Endler's famous studies of guppy spot brightness in different streams in Trinidad. Students observe the pattern of spot brightness across several pools, then apply classic experimental techniques such as transplants, removals, and behavioral studies to uncover the mechanisms behind the pattern. View sample screen Level: Advanced Key Concepts: Experimental design | Natural selection | Sexual selection Courses: Evolution | Microevolution Reviews: "The guppies lab was a big hit, and I think the chance to design and test hypotheses is suitable for students at all levels. ...I am very happy with your software." Dr. Maarten Vonhof, Western Michigan University |
