Styrofoam Traps
Source Institutions
-
Carleton College
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In this activity, learners use Styrofoam to collect organisms from a pond, estuary or marine environment and then examine what they have caught with a microscope. The tiny spaces in Styrofoam peanuts and blocks of polyurethane foam can be colonized by microorganisms and can be used to fish bacteria and protists out of marine and freshwater environments. Use this activity to learn about species characterization or to compare the organisms that live in different habitats.
- Under 5 minutes
- 1 to 7 days
- $1 - $5 per group of students
- Ages 8 - 18
- Activity, Experiment/Lab Activity
- English
Quick Guide
Materials List (per group of students)
- Several pieces of string or monofilament fishing line (approx. 8 inches each)
- Fishing weight
- Styrofoam peanuts or polyurethane foam
- String
- Covered jar or Ziploc bag
- Petri dishes
Subjects
- Life Sciences
- Diversity of Life
- Viruses and Bacteria
- Protists and Fungi
- Classification
- Biodiversity
- Ecology
- Ecosystems
- Diversity of Life
Informal Categories
- Outdoor Activity
- Nature and Environment
- Physical Activity
Audience
To use this activity, learners need to:
- see
- be mobile
- touch
Learning styles supported:
- Involves hands-on or lab activities
Other
Components that are part of this resource:
Access Rights:
- Free access
By:
- Olendzenski, Lorraine
Rights:
- Creative Commons, Science Education Resource Center (SERC) at Carleton College,
Funding Sources:
- National Science Foundation, 0333402
- National Science Foundation, 0333363
