Grabbing a Bite to Eat
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Science Friday
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In this activity, learners perform an experiment that replicates the dilemma faced by birds in acquiring food from a confined area. Learners are given a variety of objects to use as “tools” and explore various ways of extracting the food item from an enclosed shoebox without directly using their hands. Learners compare and contrast which tools worked best and use problem-solving skills to design and develop unique methods for extracting the food item from the shoebox.
- Under 5 minutes
- 45 to 60 minutes
- $10 - $20 per group of students
- Ages 11 - 14
- Activity, Lesson/Lesson Plan, Simulation
- English
Quick Guide
Materials List (per group of students)
- pencils
- scissors
- ziploc bags for "food"
- shoeboxes with lids
- clay
- clothespins
- straws
- skewers (wooden)
- tweezers
- pipe cleaners
- gum drops
- dried pasta (spiral or shells)
- dried red kidney beans
- dried white lima beans
- gummi worms
Subjects
- Life Sciences
- Diversity of Life
- Animals
- Evolution
- Evidence for Evolution
- Mechanisms of Evolution
- Human Evolution
- Human Body
- The Brain and Nervous System
- Diversity of Life
- The Nature of Science
- The Scientific Process
- Conducting Investigations
- The Scientific Process
- The Nature of Technology
- The Design Process
- Problem Solving
- The Design Process
Informal Categories
- Animals
- Nature and Environment
Audience
To use this activity, learners need to:
- see
- touch
Learning styles supported:
- Involves teamwork and communication skills
- Involves hands-on or lab activities
Other
Includes alignment to state and/or national standards
This resource is part of:
Access Rights:
- Free access
By:
- Education, Science Friday
Rights:
- All Rights Reserved, Science Friday, ©2011
