If you teach middle school science, you know that mutations and natural selection can feel a little abstract at first. Students may understand what a mutation is, but connecting that idea to survival, reproduction, and real-world organisms? That takes a little more thinking—and a lot more creativity.
That’s why I created the “Design a Mutant” worksheet—a free, two-page activity that helps students visualize how beneficial, harmful, and neutral mutations work in real organisms.
And did I mention? They get to invent their own mutant. 🧬🎨
What Is the “Design a Mutant” Activity?
In this printable worksheet, students choose a plant or animal they already know—like a rose bush, squirrel, or goldfish. Then they imagine three different mutations:
- 🟢 A beneficial mutation that helps the organism survive and reproduce
- đź”´ A harmful mutation that makes survival harder
- ⚪ A neutral mutation that doesn’t change the organism’s survival chances
On the second page, students draw the organism with its three mutations and label each one. Finally, they think one step further: What if the environment changes? How would their mutations help or hurt the organism then?
In just two pages, they connect mutations, traits, survival, reproduction, and natural selection—all while thinking creatively and applying what they’ve learned.
Why Teachers Love It
“My students had SO much fun drawing their mutants. One made a cactus with wings. Another gave a turtle the ability to change colors like a chameleon!”
“It really helped solidify the difference between beneficial, harmful, and neutral mutations—and I could clearly see who understood the concepts.”
Teachers love this activity because it:
- Makes mutations and natural selection visual and personal
- Encourages creative thinking and problem solving
- Is low prep—just print and go
- Works well for review, sub plans, or end-of-unit assessments
Aligned & Ready to Use
The “Design a Mutant” worksheet aligns with NGSS MS-LS4-4 and MS-LS4-6, focusing on the roles of genetic variation and environmental change in natural selection. It’s ideal for grades 6–8, but could be used for enrichment or support in other grades too.
Want to Try It? It’s Free!
You can grab the full 2-page worksheet (plus teacher instructions) for free! Just click below, and I’ll send it straight to your inbox.
Looking Ahead?
If your students enjoyed designing mutants, you might be heading into adaptations, fossils, or artificial selection next. I’ve got some fun, ready-to-go resources for those units too—stay tuned!
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