Follow the Scent

Add to list Go to activity
Activity link broken? See if it's at the internet archive
In this outdoor, sensory activity, learners role play as animals trying to identify their "family's" scent and locate their "territory." Learners mark their territories and sniff out other territories marked with flavors and smells like peppermint, vanilla and onion. Learners also explore how humans set up and mark territories, and what role scent plays in the learners' real lives. This activity can be made simpler for younger learners.

Quick Guide

Preparation Time:
1 to 2 hours
Learning Time:
45 to 60 minutes
Estimated Materials Cost:
$10 - $20 per group of students
Age Range:
Ages 8 - 14
Resource Types:
Activity, Game, Lesson/Lesson Plan, Simulation
Language:
English

Materials List (per group of students)

  • small sticks or nails
  • colored construction paper, contact paper or yarn (four colors)
  • masking tape
  • scissors
  • kitchen sponges
  • small bottles of 4 flavor extracts
  • plastic bags (bread loaf size)
  • plastic zip-lock bags (sandwich size)
  • paper bags
  • 2 large flags
  • 4 plastic vials (7-dram size)
  • 1 liter of water
  • 1 ball of string (at least 150 meters long) (optional)
  • paper towels (optional)

Keywords

Subjects

  • Life Sciences
    • Diversity of Life
      • Animals
    • Ecology
      • Ecosystems
    • Evolution
      • Evidence for Evolution
    • Human Senses and Perception
      • Smell
  • The Nature of Science
    • The Scientific Process
      • About Inquiry
      • Asking Questions
      • Conducting Investigations
      • Formulating Explanations
      • Communicating Results

Informal Categories

  • Animals
  • Games
  • Nature and Environment
  • Outdoor Activity
  • Physical Activity

Audience

To use this activity, learners need to:

  • see
  • see color
  • be mobile
  • smell
  • 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