Fishy Frequency Activity By. Jeana Forsyth & Marina Foster

Hardy Weinberg Lesson:

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DESCRIPTION: Students will learn about Hardy Weinberg (HW) and the assumptions that must be met in order for a population to be in HW equilibrium.  They will complete two hands on activities (one called Fishy Frequencies and the other called Hardy Weinberg Principle) that will solidify what they learned in lecture.  Furthermore, this is an excellent unit if you’re looking for something that incorporates both math and science as the students calculate the allele and genotypes frequencies. 

 

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this unit is to allow the students to experience what can happen to a population’s allele and genotype frequencies when an evolutionary force (i.e. natural selection, mutation, migration, predation, etc.) occurs.  They will notice that, generally, after the first generation there is not a significant change in allele/genotype frequency.  However, after 3-4 generations there is a significant difference.  They will then think of how this impacts the population and its future generations in light of conservation biology. 

 

GRADE LEVEL: 10-12

 

SUBJECT AREA: Genetics and Environmental Biology

 

CLASS PERIODS REQUIRED: To complete both lessons it’ll take at least 2-50 minute class periods.  The Fishy Frequencies lesson takes longer than the Hardy Weinberg Principle lesson.  In fact, I’d recommend giving your lecture, then doing the shorter HW Principle lesson on one day.  On the next day I’d have the students do the Fishy Frequencies lesson.

 

MATERIALS NEEDED:

  1. Several laminated allele cards labeled with “F” or “f”.  They can be the size of playing cards.  You should have two allele cards per student (i.e. If you have 20 students you need at least 40 allele cards). 
  2. Construction paper of different color (i.e. yellow, orange, and red)
  3. Paper plates (one per group)
  4. Pepperidge Farm Goldfish (you’ll definitely need yellow, orange, and red).  Each group of two will start with a mixed population totaling 30 fish.
  5. Calculators (1-2 per group)
  6. Watch/timer/clock

 

ATTACHMENTS: Lecture outline, Fishy Frequencies original lesson, Fishy Frequencies revised lesson, student homework assignment, notes and suggestions, and Hardy Weinberg Principle lesson.

Original Source of Activity