Natural Selection Station Lab - MS

Keep your middle schoolers engaged while exploring natural selection with this modular, student-led station lab. These ready-to-use materials save you a ton of prep time and empower students to take charge of their own learning through hands-on, multimodal activities.

In this lab, students will identify and compare the characteristics of natural selection, observing how traits that support survival and reproduction become more common over time. Perfect for in-class or virtual instruction!

Texas Teachers: Aligned with the 2017 TEKS. This resource will not be updated for the 2021 TEKS.

DIFFERENTIATED • MODULAR • STUDENT-LED

Each station lab includes eight core activities and a ninth challenge station for early finishers. In this student-centered format, the teacher acts as a facilitator while students engage independently or collaboratively.

All materials—signage, task cards, and resources—are included. The Explore It! station may require a few common classroom materials you likely already have on hand.

THE STATIONS

INPUT Stations – Build Understanding

• Explore It! – Hands-on demo or digital activity where students connect new information through application.

• Read It! – Differentiated reading passages (English & Spanish) with vocabulary and comprehension questions.

• Research It! – Online investigation activity using facts, visuals, and graphs with guided questions.

• Watch It! – Short, focused video and student reflection prompts.

OUTPUT Stations – Show Mastery

• Organize It! – Printable or digital card sorts and categorization exercises.

• Illustrate It! – Sketches or models to visualize natural selection processes.

• Write It! – Short-answer prompts requiring students to communicate their understanding using scientific language.

• Assess It! – Task cards and paragraph responses assessing vocabulary and comprehension.

Bonus Station – Challenge It!

Early finishers and advanced learners can extend their understanding through crosswords, mini-projects, and enrichment games.

EASY TO USE • FLEXIBLE FORMATS

Designed for both in-person and digital classrooms, this station lab works seamlessly with PowerPoint and Google Slides. Students can learn independently, in small groups, or virtually—making it a perfect fit for any teaching setup.

This is a finished product; it will be updated with formatting or corrections as needed. Future improvements and new features will be sold as a separate product.