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In this activity, learners build penetrometers to test leaf toughness. Biologists measure leaf toughness to study the feeding preferences of insects and bugs.
- 5 to 10 minutes
- 45 to 60 minutes
- $1 - $5 per group of students
- Ages 8 - 14
- Activity, Experiment/Lab Activity, Lesson/Lesson Plan
- English, Spanish
Quick Guide
Materials List (per group of students)
- materials to test--a variety of leaves or man-made materials that range from weak (tissue paper, coffee filters, plastic wrap) to mid-strength (paper, plastic bags, wax paper) to strong (paper plates, cardstock, manila folders, fabric scraps)
- large paper cups
- items to add weight (e.g., pennies, beans, or metal washers) -- use identical weights
- paper clips
- a single hole puncher
Subjects
-
Engineering and Technology
-
Engineering
- Metallurgy and Materials Engineering
-
Engineering
-
Life Sciences
-
Diversity of Life
- Plants
- Classification
- Ecology
-
Diversity of Life
-
Mathematics
-
Data Analysis and Probability
- Data Analysis
- Data Collection
- Data Representation
-
Data Analysis and Probability
-
Physical Sciences
- Motion and Forces
-
Structure and Properties of Matter
- Mass and Weight
-
The Nature of Science
-
The Scientific Process
- Asking Questions
- Conducting Investigations
- Gathering Data
- Formulating Explanations
- Communicating Results
- Science as a Career
-
The Scientific Process
Informal Categories
- Gardening
- Nature and Environment
Audience
To use this activity, learners need to:
- see
- read
- touch
Learning styles supported:
- Involves teamwork and communication skills
- Involves hands-on or lab activities
Culture, ethnicity, and gender
-
Girls
- Explicity developed for this group
- Acknowledges this group's contributions to STEM
- 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
Foreign language versions of this resource:
Components that are part of this resource:
Includes alignment to state and/or national standards:
This resource is part of:
Access Rights:
- Free access
By:
Rights:
- All rights reserved, Twin Cities Public Television, Inc., 2013
Funding Sources:
- National Science Foundation, DRL-1114739
- L'Oreal USA For Girls in Science
- Northrop Grumman Foundation
- PPG Industries Foundation