Curriculum Standards Alignment: Landscape Genetics Simulator

This document outlines how the Landscape Genetics Simulator aligns with major curriculum standards, including NGSS, AP Biology, and IB Biology.

Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)

HS-LS3-3: Heredity – Inheritance and Variation of Traits

Apply concepts of statistics and probability to explain the variation and distribution of expressed traits in a population.

• Students manipulate mutation and dispersal rates and observe allele frequency distributions.
• Graphs illustrate population-level trait variation due to random drift and gene flow.

HS-LS4-5: Biological Evolution – Unity and Diversity

Evaluate the evidence supporting claims that changes in environmental conditions may result in… the emergence of new species over time.

• The barrier tool models habitat fragmentation and its role in genetic isolation.
• Encourages discussion of speciation and population divergence.

AP Biology (College Board)

Unit 7: Natural Selection

• Topic 7.4: Population Genetics
  • Simulator directly models allele frequency shifts due to mutation, drift, and gene flow.
• Topic 7.5: Hardy-Weinberg and Microevolution
  • Students explore how violating assumptions (e.g., no barriers, infinite population) affects outcomes.
• Science Practice 4: Representing and describing data
  • Learners graph allele frequencies and interpret simulations.

IB Biology

Topic 5.2: Natural Selection

• Students see visual outcomes of environmental restrictions (barriers) on allele distribution.

Option C: Ecology and Conservation

• C.3: Impacts of habitat fragmentation
  • Direct simulation of genetic consequences due to landscape features.

Cross-Curricular Skills

• Data literacy and interpretation
• Scientific reasoning and modeling
• Argumentation using evidence