Modeling Natural
Selection
Laboratory
You will be working with an Egyptian origami
bird (Avis papyrus) to demonstrate Natural
selection.
Avis Papyrus
● Origami bird that lives
in the dry regions of
North Africa
● Only birds that fly long
distances between
water sources will live
long enough to breed
To Fly or not to Fly
What phenotypical traits do you think can
change to help the Avis Papyrus become more
fit?
What phenotypical traits do you think can
change to make the Avis Papyrus weaker?
Create a Hypothesis
Create a hypothesis for each scenario:
1. If the wings move closer to the head or tail
2. If the wings move further from the head or tail
3. If the wings increase in size (circumference)
4. If the wings decrease in size (circumference)
5. If the wings get thinner
6. If the wings get fatter
Procedures Avis Papyrus
1. Cut two strips of
paper, 3x20 (cm)
each
2. Make a loop with
one strip letting the
paper overlap by 1
cm and tape the
loop closed
To make Avis Papyrus
3. Repeat for the other strip
4. Tape one loop 3 cm from each end of the
straw
5. (If there is time) Test the Avis Papyrus
Procedures for testing
● In your group choose one person to throw
your bird
● The second person in your group will record
data
● When throwing your bird, throw it like you
are throwing a dart
Procedures for testing
● Test your bird 4 times and measure each
throw
● Take the average of your throw
● Record your average in your data table
● Go to the mutation station and create the
first offspring
Mutation table
Coin Flip: Heads: Change the front wing
Tails: Change the back wing
Die Roll:
1) Make Circumference 2 cm smaller
2) Make Circumference 2 cm larger
3) Make wing 1 cm thinner
4) Mke wing 1 cm Thicker
5) Move wing 1 cm from the end
6) Move wing 1 cm towards the end
New Mutation
Big beak vs Small beak
Heads: Big beak
Tails: Small beak