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In this outdoor activity, learners dig for and collect isopods (sometimes known as "roly-poly bugs" or "potato bugs" and other names). Learners have fun discovering that there are two species of isopods—pill bugs and sow bugs—with different body structures and self-defense behaviors. One way they learn is by racing the bugs on a circular track drawn with chalk on asphalt or pavement. Extensions include racing the bugs on other surfaces such as gravel or grass and keeping them in a see-through container for a week to observe their feeding behavior. At the end of the races, or the observation week, isopods should be returned to a natural environment.
- 30 to 45 minutes
- 45 to 60 minutes
- $10 - $20 per group of students
- Ages 8 - 14
- Activity, Experiment/Lab Activity, Lesson/Lesson Plan
- English
Quick Guide
Materials List (per group of students)
- clear plastic cups, plastic bags, or baby-food jars
- data board
- large felt-tip marker
- piece of string, 30 cm long
- several pieces of chalk
- 8 1/2" X 11" pieces of paper
- transparent tape
- digging tools (trowels, spoons, etc.)
- scissors
- bug boxes or hand lenses
Subjects
-
Life Sciences
-
Diversity of Life
- Animals
- Ecology
-
Diversity of Life
-
The Nature of Science
-
The Scientific Process
- Conducting Investigations
- Formulating Explanations
- Communicating Results
-
The Scientific Process
Informal Categories
- Animals
- Nature and Environment
- Outdoor Activity
- Physical Activity
Audience
To use this activity, learners need to:
- see
- be mobile
- 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, 1979