Lichen Looking

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In this outdoor activity, learners search for lichen, a combination of a fungus and an alga living together. Lichen grow where most other plants cannot, on rocks, the trunks of trees, logs and sand. As learners go "lichen looking", they investigate the numbers, locations and kinds of lichen in their area.

Quick Guide

Preparation Time:
1 to 2 hours
Learning Time:
1 to 2 hours
Estimated Materials Cost:
$10 - $20 per group of students
Age Range:
Ages 8 - 18
Resource Types:
Activity, Lesson/Lesson Plan
Language:
English

Materials List (per group of students)

  • lumps of clay (size of a golf ball)
  • flags in an envelope
  • pieces of wax paper 10 cm X 10 cm
  • felt tip pens
  • transparent tape
  • magnifying lenses or bug boxes
  • small plastic bags
  • medium plastic bags
  • plastic or wax paper band (7 cm X 150 cm)
  • pieces of string 3 meters long
  • set of Action Cards (page 5 of PDF)
  • meter tape
  • compass
  • 2 sheets of Action Cards

Keywords

Subjects

  • Earth and Space Science
    • Earth Structure
      • Rocks and Minerals
  • Life Sciences
    • Diversity of Life
      • Plants
      • Protists and Fungi
      • Classification
    • Ecology
      • Ecosystems
      • Populations
      • Human Impact
  • The Nature of Science
    • The Scientific Process
      • Asking Questions
      • Conducting Investigations
      • Gathering Data
      • Formulating Explanations
      • Communicating Results

Informal Categories

  • Nature and Environment
  • Outdoor Activity
  • Physical Activity

Audience

To use this activity, learners need to:

  • see
  • see color
  • read
  • be mobile
  • touch

Learning styles supported:

  • Involves teamwork and communication skills
  • Involves hands-on or lab activities

Other

This resource is part of:

Access Rights:

  • Free access

By:

Rights:

  • All rights reserved, The Regents of the University of California, 1980