Using Avida-ED to Teach Evolution and the Nature of Science

Author(s):
Louise Mead
Education Director; Academic Specialist
Michigan State University

Avida-ED is a freely available digital evolution software package developed to help students learn about evolution and the nature of science. Avida-ED was developed specifically for educational purposes, with a graphical user interface and visualizations that allow the user to observe evolution in action. Our Avida-ED IUSE team at Michigan State University has been running instructor training workshops over the past six years and we are excited to share the resources developed and the outcomes from our national assessment study. Participants in the workshop will use Avida-ED to explore evolutionary questions and consider how to use this unique resource in their teaching.