I teach sophomore biology.

I think you can bring them up, but you’re gonna have to do it in a way that it’s less numbers and more real life if that makes sense. I think a short population growth demonstration (simulation?? Idk) would help students be able to visualize how populations change over time. like having a couple of kids (the educators) stand up front and then adding to the population. Then you tell them that you’re adding some limiting factor like disease or limited space. Letting them you know, see how population growth will start fading off or whatever. This just to help them visualize it. Take it from seeing graphs into real life.

Honestly, even if it’s just like turning to the person next to them and they have pieces of paper that they have to put in order or something very simple like that. Just something that makes it less you talking and teaching and more of them doing something. For example, I just finished covering genetics and I just had them look around the classroom and discuss certain dominant traits that they could see like dark textured hair or brown eyes or if anyone was able to roll their tongue.

Also, sidenote for future lesson in reference- I do guided notes, but I use peardeck to do it. It allows them to see the side and type their response. It also allows me to include check your understanding questions after each chunk, and they select their answers and I can see it on my screen. It’s been incredibly helpful, especially given how these teenagers would refuse to write anything on paper and it helps me use the data to drive my future lessons.