Chirp or Perish: Unpacking the Costs of Mating and Survival in Crickets

<p data-pm-slice="1 1 []">This lesson was developed as part of the Biologists and Graph Interpretation (BioGraphI) initiative and is intended for introductory to intermediate undergraduate biology students, including majors and non-majors. The lesson may be implemented in an in-person lecture, discussion, or small-group activity format.</p> <p>Materials included in this lesson consist of a guide, presentation slides, linked research paper, and a video interview with Dr. Cassandra Martin, an evolutionary biologist whose research focuses on mating behavior and parasitism in field crickets. Using authentic data from a peer-reviewed study, students practice interpreting graphs, identifying trends, and drawing evidence-based conclusions about biological tradeoffs.</p> <p>In addition to developing quantitative reasoning skills, the lesson emphasizes representation and identity in science by highlighting Dr. Martin’s experiences and pathways as a scientist. Students are encouraged to reflect on who does science, how personal experiences shape scientific questions, and how data interpretation connects to real-world biological research.</p>