Biology Simulations Blog

The Biology Simulations blog introduces the simulations used on the site, discusses new simulations that are in the works, and shares information about simulation and inquiry based learning.

Jolene Pappas

Mar 11
4 min

How to use chi-squared to test for Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium

This post demonstrates the use of chi-squared to test for Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium.

239 viewsWrite a comment

Jolene Pappas

Feb 28
3 min

How to calculate Simpson's Diversity Index (AP Biology)

Simpson's Diversity Index (SDI) is one approach to quantifying biodiversity.

957 viewsWrite a comment

Jolene Pappas

Feb 20
2 min

Evolution Simulation

In the Evolution: 10,000 students can track a population of fictional organisms over a 10,000 year time period.

69 viewsWrite a comment

Jolene Pappas

Dec 27, 2019
2 min

Mutation

UV light is expected to induce mutations, most of which will kill the bacteria.

103 viewsWrite a comment

Jolene Pappas

Nov 16, 2019
2 min

Connecting simulations to real-world examples

Real systems often have variables that, even if understood, cannot be fully controlled for.

21 viewsWrite a comment

Jolene Pappas

Nov 3, 2019
5 min

Teacher Guide (With Standards) to Biology Simulations

This will describe the primary target audiences for each simulation, discuss possible uses, and link the simulations to standards.

2,454 viewsWrite a comment

Jolene Pappas

Oct 27, 2019
2 min

Using macroinvertebrates as bioindicators

Macroinvertebrates can simulate a river quality study using macroinvertebrates as bioindicators.

14 viewsWrite a comment

Jolene Pappas

Jul 11, 2019
4 min

Summary of simulations (2019)

This post describes all of the simulations available going into the beginning of the 2019-2020 school year.

122 viewsWrite a comment

Jolene Pappas

May 31, 2019
2 min

Cell Energy Simulation

The cell energy simulation can be used for photosynthesis, respiration, and primary productivity virtual labs.

45 viewsWrite a comment

Jolene Pappas

Apr 9, 2019
5 min

Independent assortment, linked genes, and recombination

Mendel proposed the Law of Independent Assortment to explain his observations that the outcomes for one gene did not impact the outcomes for another gene. Wh...

224 viewsWrite a comment

Jolene Pappas

Mar 7, 2019
2 min

Fictional scenarios for simulations

Why do the simulations on Biology Simulations focus on fictional organisms instead of utilizing real-world examples? Learning about the world and how it work...

4 viewsWrite a comment

Jolene Pappas

Mar 4, 2019
1 min

Heredity III: Incomplete Dominance and Epistasis

The Heredity III virtual lab tests one trait...with five possible phenotypes. This has a little more going on than the Heredity I and Heredity II simulations...

94 viewsWrite a comment

Jolene Pappas

Feb 22, 2019
5 min

How to use chi-squared to test an inheritance pattern

Would you rather watch a video than read? Here is a video version of this post: Many biology classes use the chi-squared statistical test during heredity un...

154 viewsWrite a comment

Jolene Pappas

Feb 21, 2019
1 min

X-linked Heredity

The second heredity simulation is up and running. The first simulation allows students to test two autosomal traits. This simulation examines an X-linked tra...

4 viewsWrite a comment

Jolene Pappas

Feb 14, 2019
5 min

How to test for evolution using the null hypothesis

Would you rather watch a video than read? Here is a video version of this post: This post demonstrates how to test for evolution using the null hypothesis w...

162 viewsWrite a comment

Jolene Pappas

Feb 8, 2019
2 min

Heredity Simulation

The first of several planned heredity simulations is now up and running! This first one covers basic dominance for two autosomal (not sex-linked), non-linked...

84 viewsWrite a comment

Jolene Pappas

Jan 21, 2019
2 min

Natural Selection Virtual Lab

Anyone who has taught biology in the past 10 years has probably encountered the peppered moth virtual lab. It's a good one; it's based on a real situation an...

239 viewsWrite a comment

Jolene Pappas

Jan 4, 2019
1 min

Competitive Exclusion Principle

The competition simulation allows students to test an example of the competitive exclusion principle. This is the idea that two species cannot coexist if the...

17 viewsWrite a comment

Jolene Pappas

Jan 1, 2019
3 min

Population Dynamics

There are many versions of population dynamics simulations out there. I've used a hands-on paper based simulation with squares of paper to represent the prey...

32 viewsWrite a comment

Jolene Pappas

Dec 28, 2018
2 min

Biodiversity

The biodiversity simulation is very simple to use. Each time the user clicks on the "Produce Community" button, a biological community is generated. Up to 11...

62 viewsWrite a comment