Selection in action - Peppered moths

Selection in action - Peppered moths
Publication Date: November, 2011
Type of Resource: Lesson Plan

This online resource looks at natural selection.

The resource is a lesson plan for a practical activity or demonstration that also provides detailed teaching notes and a student worksheet.

The purpose of the lesson is:

  • to review information about the peppered moth (Biston betularia), its two main colour forms and the places in which they are found; and
  • to analyse and evaluate evidence for natural selection.

Australian Curriculum v9 Codes: AC9S10U02 (Year 10)

Additional Information

This activity has been produced by the Nuffield foundation in partnership with the Society of Biology (UK) and is found on the Nuffield foundation website.

Some of the terminology and questions may be challenging for students. The worksheet is a Word document which enables the activity to be adapted to ability of the class.

Australian Curriculum:
  • Year 10 > Science Inquiry Skills > Processing and analysing data and information > Analyse patterns and trends in data, including describing relationships between... > ACSIS203
  • Year 10 > Science Inquiry Skills > Processing and analysing data and information > Use knowledge of scientific concepts to draw conclusions that are consistent... > ACSIS204
  • Year 10 > Science Understanding > Biological Sciences > The theory of evolution by natural selection explains the diversity of living... > ACSSU185
  • Year Senior Secondary > Science Inquiry Skills > Processing and analysing data and information
  • Year Senior Secondary > Science Understanding > Biological Sciences