A student-designed investigation using online fruit fly simulations.
This digital lab investigates inheritance patterns using a virtual fruit fly simulator. Students design and carry out genetic crosses, analyze offspring ratios, and determine whether a trait is dominant, recessive, or follows another inheritance pattern.
Students begin with a short background reading and analysis questions to establish key ideas about genetic crosses. They then select a trait to investigate using a student-directed differentiation system, choosing from structured difficulty levels that vary by trait complexity.
Students proceed through the investigation by:
planning test crosses to answer specific inheritance questions
using an online simulator to perform fruit fly crosses
recording and organizing offspring data in a lab notebook
analyzing results to determine inheritance patterns
writing a lab report using a scaffolded structure with optional prompts
The differentiated trait system allows students to work at varying cognitive levels while pursuing the same core scientific goal: identifying how a trait is inherited based on experimental evidence.
This lab is designed to support:
application of Punnett square and test cross reasoning
interpretation of genetic ratios
experimental design using simulations
structured scientific writing
It functions well as:
a digital genetics investigation
a virtual alternative to physical fruit fly labs
a core applied lab within an inheritance unit
The Google Slides format allows for low-prep implementation while preserving inquiry-based structure and analytical rigor.
To preview this lab, click here.
NGSS Alignment (High School):
HS-LS3-1
HS-LS3-2
HS-LS3-3
Science & Engineering Practices (SEPs):
Analyzing and Interpreting Data; Constructing Explanations; Engaging in Argument from Evidence; Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking; Planning and Carrying Out Investigations
Crosscutting Concepts (CCCs):
Cause and Effect; Patterns; Systems and System Models
Common Core (Literacy in Science):
RST.9-10.3
RST.9-10.7
WHST.9-10.2
WHST.9-10.8
WHST.9-10.9
Bundle Upgrade Policy
This lesson is included in one or more bundles. To support flexible purchasing and long-term use of our curriculum, Lesson Laboratory offers a bundle upgrade policy.
If you purchase this lesson and decide at a later date that you would like to upgrade to a bundle, you may request a store credit equal to the total amount paid for duplicate items.
To request an upgrade credit, please email thelessonlaboratory@gmail.com and include:
Your username
The order numbers for both the original purchase(s) and the bundle
The names of the duplicate resources
Requests must be submitted within 30 days of the bundle purchase. Credits are issued as store credit for future Lesson Laboratory purchases and are not provided as cash refunds.
This policy applies only to purchases of resources that are later included in a Lesson Laboratory bundle and is limited to one adjustment per upgrade pathway.
A student-designed investigation using online fruit fly simulations.
This digital lab investigates inheritance patterns using a virtual fruit fly simulator. Students design and carry out genetic crosses, analyze offspring ratios, and determine whether a trait is dominant, recessive, or follows another inheritance pattern.
Students begin with a short background reading and analysis questions to establish key ideas about genetic crosses. They then select a trait to investigate using a student-directed differentiation system, choosing from structured difficulty levels that vary by trait complexity.
Students proceed through the investigation by:
planning test crosses to answer specific inheritance questions
using an online simulator to perform fruit fly crosses
recording and organizing offspring data in a lab notebook
analyzing results to determine inheritance patterns
writing a lab report using a scaffolded structure with optional prompts
The differentiated trait system allows students to work at varying cognitive levels while pursuing the same core scientific goal: identifying how a trait is inherited based on experimental evidence.
This lab is designed to support:
application of Punnett square and test cross reasoning
interpretation of genetic ratios
experimental design using simulations
structured scientific writing
It functions well as:
a digital genetics investigation
a virtual alternative to physical fruit fly labs
a core applied lab within an inheritance unit
The Google Slides format allows for low-prep implementation while preserving inquiry-based structure and analytical rigor.
To preview this lab, click here.
NGSS Alignment (High School):
HS-LS3-1
HS-LS3-2
HS-LS3-3
Science & Engineering Practices (SEPs):
Analyzing and Interpreting Data; Constructing Explanations; Engaging in Argument from Evidence; Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking; Planning and Carrying Out Investigations
Crosscutting Concepts (CCCs):
Cause and Effect; Patterns; Systems and System Models
Common Core (Literacy in Science):
RST.9-10.3
RST.9-10.7
WHST.9-10.2
WHST.9-10.8
WHST.9-10.9
Bundle Upgrade Policy
This lesson is included in one or more bundles. To support flexible purchasing and long-term use of our curriculum, Lesson Laboratory offers a bundle upgrade policy.
If you purchase this lesson and decide at a later date that you would like to upgrade to a bundle, you may request a store credit equal to the total amount paid for duplicate items.
To request an upgrade credit, please email thelessonlaboratory@gmail.com and include:
Your username
The order numbers for both the original purchase(s) and the bundle
The names of the duplicate resources
Requests must be submitted within 30 days of the bundle purchase. Credits are issued as store credit for future Lesson Laboratory purchases and are not provided as cash refunds.
This policy applies only to purchases of resources that are later included in a Lesson Laboratory bundle and is limited to one adjustment per upgrade pathway.
