Scent Tag

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In this matchmaking activity (on page 2 of the PDF under GPS: Animal Scent Activity), learners will each have a scented cotton ball taped to their shoulder. The scent (e.g. peppermint oil or almond extract) will be kept secret by an adult while the participants walk around silently, sniffing each other's cotton balls in search of anyone sharing the same scent. Relates to the linked video, DragonflyTV GPS: Animal Scent.

Quick Guide

Preparation Time:
Under 5 minutes
Learning Time:
45 to 60 minutes
Estimated Materials Cost:
$5 - $10 per group of students
Age Range:
Ages 8 - 14
Resource Types:
Activity, Game
Language:
English

Materials List (per group of students)

  • a dozen cotton balls
  • masking tape or medical tape
  • a variety of scents or essential oils, such as peppermint oil, cinnamon oil, almond extract, or lemon oil
  • a bunch of friends! Eight or more is better!

Keywords

Subjects

  • Life Sciences
    • Diversity of Life
    • Ecology
      • Populations
    • Evolution
      • Mechanisms of Evolution
    • Human Senses and Perception
      • Smell
  • The Nature of Science
    • The Scientific Process
      • About Inquiry

Informal Categories

  • Food and Cooking
  • Games
  • Physical Activity

Audience

To use this activity, learners need to:

  • see
  • be mobile
  • smell

Learning styles supported:

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

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, 515566