Sexual Selection
Explain sexual selection as a form of natural selection: runaway selection for peacock tails, bird of paradise displays, and frog calls; explain kin selection and altruistic behaviour — why worker bees die to protect the hive, why meerkats stand guard at personal risk (Hamilton's rule, inclusive fitness); introduce game theory in animal behaviour using the hawk-dove model; define cognitive ethology and survey evidence for animal emotions, play, and culture
Lesson
Set out your lesson
“Sexual Selection means practising the idea at the table with a simple hands-on check. We will demo once, then your child tries.”
Bring to the table
- A small toy car or ball
- A ramp or book stack and a ruler
Extra for the adult
Worked example. A stronger push sends the car farther down the table than a gentle push.
Optional challenge. For Sexual Selection, add one harder example after success.
What to notice. Keep one parent note: examples tried; results; support used. This session samples Sexual Selection, not mastery.
Share and support
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Teaching approaches
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1 approach
Sexual Selection means practising the idea at the table with a simple hands-on check. We will demo once, then your child tries.
Materials: A small toy car or ball; A ramp or book stack and a ruler. 1. Say the goal of Sexual Selection in plain words once. 2. Adult gives one gentle push and one stronger push, then compares how far the object travels. 3. Child tries three push or pull trials and records which force made a bigger change. 4. Fresh check: one fresh push/pull comparison. Record and stop. Done: three recorded trials with a clear force comparison. Proof: parent note of examples and results. Stop: End after the fresh check; keep optional challenge for another day.
Family records and proof options
Keep a record of your learning
Save photos, notes, and attendance. Export a proof packet for compliance or portfolio reviews.
Practice this concept
Start practiceSexual Selection practice
Practice key ideas from Sexual Selection.
Free · no login · no ads · Practice answers and completion are not saved. Parent observation remains the lesson record.
Learning resources
Extra practice links — they do not replace Gakuva’s teaching approach.
NASA Space Place · Practice link — not the full lesson
Home | NASA Space Place – NASA Science for Kids
Before you open · source notes
Home | NASA Space Place – NASA Science for Kids supports hands-on exploration for Sexual Selection. Not every lab worksheet.
Free interactive or educational page, no sign-in required for the tested path.
Before you openAsk the learner what they changed in the sim or page and what they observed.
Opening this link does not save learning or assess mastery.
Source, access and review notes
Public NASA Space Place page. An anonymous GET on 2026-11-12 returned HTTP 200 with no login or payment prompt for this URL. Opening the link does not save practice or assess mastery. An adult should preview and guide the learner.
NASA Space Place. “Home | NASA Space Place – NASA Science for Kids.” External page; Gakuva does not copy, host, embed, or redistribute materials.
Unknown — link only
Check understanding
No checks listed
“Can your child explain why a worker bee dying to protect the hive actually makes evolutionary sense — even though the bee never has its own offspring? What's the logic that makes this a successful strategy?”
Curriculum record
- Type
- Conceptual
- Subject
- Science
- Domain
- Animals of the World
- Age range
- Ages 12–13