This lab experiment aims to demonstrate natural selection through simulating predation on M&Ms of different colors. Students hypothesize which M&M color will have the highest survival rate. They conduct the experiment in two parts, first selecting only regular M&Ms, then adding mini and peanut M&Ms. Data on color and number of M&Ms in the population, eaten, and surviving is recorded. Graphs of the results are created to analyze how the environment influences which colors are selected by predators and which colors survive at higher rates due to natural selection.

1. Natural Selection M&M Lab
Objective(s)
- To describe the importance of coloration in avoiding predation
- To explain how natural selection causes populations to change
Materials
M&M’s (mini, regular, peanut varieties) Colored paper
Small collecting container Calculator
Procedure
Part I
1) Pick a member of your group to be the leader. This person will be responsible for running the lab and
setting up the M&M’s. DO NOT EAT ANY M&M’S TILL THE END OF THE LAB.
2) Place the 30 regular sized M&M’s on the 11x17 colored piece of paper. Spread them out evenly on the
piece of paper.
3) Design a table with the following headings. Record the color and number of each color in the table.
M&M Color Total # (Population) # Selected (eaten) # Left (Survived) % Survival
4) Devise a hypothesis about which color M&M will have the highest survival percentage in your
environment.
Hypothesis __________________________________________________________________________
5) Three members of the group will select M&M’s. Each member should keep their eyes closed until the
leader of the group tells them to pick an M&M. Once told to select an M&M, the member of the group
will open their eyes and select the first M&M they see. Place the M&M in the collecting container. Each
member will select 5 M&M’s (for a total of 15 M&M’s).
6) Once 15 M&M’s have been selected, fill out the rest of the table. Leave the remaining 15 M&M’s
on the colored paper. They will be used in Part II of the lab.
Part II
1) Take the other bag of M&M’s (mini and peanut varieties) and put them on the colored piece of paper
along with the M&M’s left from Part I of the lab. Spread them out evenly on the piece of paper. Empty
the collecting container.
2) Devise a hypothesis about which color and size M&M will have the highest survival percentage in your
environment.
Hypothesis __________________________________________________________________________

2. 3) Design a table with the following headings. Record the color, size, and number of each color in the
table. (mini = small, regular = average, peanut = large)
M&M Color Size Total # # Selected # Left % Survival
(population) (eaten) (Survived)
4) Three members of the group will select M&M’s. Each member should keep their eyes closed until the
leader of the group tells them to pick an M&M. Once told to select an M&M, the member of the group
will open their eyes and select the first M&M they see. Place the M&M in the collecting container. Each
member will select 10 M&M’s (for a total of 30 M&M’s).
5) Once 30 M&M’s have been selected, fill out the rest of the table.
Analysis- take your data from Part I and Part II and create a graphical representation of color of
M&Ms and % survival. A Pie Chart or Bar Graph will work best. Have one member from your
group use computer to create graph in Excel and print out for each member of group. Tape/staple
these into your lab notebook.
Discussion
1) What was the color of your environment?
2) What is represented by the M&M’s? What do you represent?
3) Is coloration an important factor in successful predation? Explain why?
4) What is the relationship between the environment and the color of the M&M’s selected?
5) Which M&M color had the lowest survival in Part I? _______ in Part II________?
a. Why do you think there was a difference in survival rates for Part I and Part II.
Conclusion-Summary of Lab, was it successful? Why or why not? Any Errors in your data?