PopG & K–12 Standards Alignment

PopG is a single-locus, two-allele population genetics simulator that models how allele frequencies change under drift, mutation, migration, and selection. It offers a data-rich, inquiry-driven framework for exploring core evolutionary principles that align with K–12 science standards—especially the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).


1. Middle School Life Sciences

MS-LS4: Biological Evolution – Unity and Diversity

MS-LS4-4: “Construct an explanation based on evidence that describes how genetic variations of traits in a population increase some individuals’ probability of surviving and reproducing in a specific environment.”
MS-LS4-6: (Varies by state, but often focuses on explaining how new traits can appear and spread through populations.)

MS-LS2: Ecosystems – Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics

MS-LS2-1: “Analyze and interpret data to provide evidence for the effects of resource availability on organisms and populations of organisms in an ecosystem.”

2. High School Life Sciences

HS-LS4: Biological Evolution – Unity and Diversity

HS-LS4-2: “Construct an explanation based on evidence that the process of evolution primarily results from four factors: (1) potential for a species to increase in number, (2) heritable genetic variation, (3) competition for limited resources, and (4) the proliferation of individuals better able to survive and reproduce in the environment.”
HS-LS4-5: “Evaluate the evidence supporting claims that changes in environmental conditions may result in: (1) increases in the number of individuals of some species, (2) the emergence of new species over time, and (3) the extinction of other species.”

HS-LS2: Ecosystems – Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics

HS-LS2-2: “Use mathematical representations to support and revise explanations based on evidence about factors affecting biodiversity and populations in ecosystems of different scales.”

3. Crosscutting Concepts & Science/Engineering Practices


4. Classroom Implementation Tips

Below are some ideas for integrating PopG into a lesson or unit:


5. Integration with Climate or Environmental Factors

Though PopG does not natively simulate a changing climate, teachers can conceptually relate selection coefficients (or resource-based fitness) to a “warming” or “cooling” scenario. Variation in selection pressure from environment X to environment Y parallels real-world climate shifts that can favor new mutations or drive local extinctions.


6. Summary

PopG lends itself well to NGSS-aligned instruction on evolutionary mechanisms, data analysis, and cause/effect relationships. By allowing students to tinker with population size, mutation rates, selection strength, and migration between populations, it illuminates fundamental concepts across middle and high school life science standards.

Whether used for a brief demonstration of Hardy-Weinberg principles or a multi-lesson project on evolutionary genetics and ecology, PopG provides a hands-on, inquiry-based approach that resonates with both **NGSS performance expectations** and **crosscutting concepts** in science education.

9. Contact & Acknowledgments

PopG was originally developed by <Prof. Joe Felsenstein> and was ported to Javascript by <Wesley R. Elsberry>. For more information, bug reports, or feature requests, email <welseber at gmail> or visit evo-edu.org.


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