Rabbit Olympics

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This activity (on page 2 of the PDF under SciGirls Activity: Rabbits) is a full inquiry investigation into observing, recording, and graphing animal behavior. Groups of learners will hold a “Rabbit Olympics,” observing pet rabbits’ performance in a series of timed events. Learners will find the average score for each event and graph the scores to compare the data. This activity can be modified for any pet, but the activities should be selected based upon behaviors that the animal naturally displays. Relates to linked video, DragonflyTV: Rabbits.

Quick Guide

Preparation Time:
10 to 30 minutes
Learning Time:
1 to 2 hours
Estimated Materials Cost:
$10 - $20 per group of students
Age Range:
Ages 8 - 14
Resource Types:
Activity, Experiment/Lab Activity
Language:
English

Materials List (per group of students)

  • 1 or more pet rabbits!
  • rabbit food treats
  • 2 large bedsheets [Dash event]
  • a large cardboard cylinder and old newspapers [Tunnel event]
  • a 12” wide plank, 4 feet long, and a chair [Ramp Climb event]
  • a small, lightweight, hollow plastic ball [Ball Nudge event]
  • a stopwatch
  • a notebook

Keywords

Subjects

  • Life Sciences
    • Diversity of Life
      • Animals
  • Mathematics
    • Data Analysis and Probability
      • Data Analysis
      • Data Collection
      • Data Representation
    • Measurement
    • Number and Operations
    • Representation
  • The Nature of Science
    • The Scientific Process
      • About Inquiry
      • Asking Questions
      • Conducting Investigations
      • Gathering Data
      • Formulating Explanations
      • Communicating Results

Informal Categories

  • Animals

Audience

To use this activity, learners need to:

  • see
  • read
  • be mobile
  • touch

Learning styles supported:

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

Culture, ethnicity, and gender

  • Girls

    • Highlights STEM opportunities for this group
    • Identifies role models or mentors in STEM fields from this group
    • Uses inclusive images of people from this group

Other

Components that are part of this resource:

This resource is part of:

Access Rights:

  • Free access

By:

Source Collection

  • DragonflyTV

Rights:

  • All rights reserved, Twin Cities Public Television, Inc., 2006

Funding Source:

  • National Science Foundation, 436260