10% Rule Paper Lab Activity
• Each person gets a picture card. Stand in the correct order for your food
chain (start with the card that has where the energy originates.)
– In your notebook, draw and label this food chain.
• The paper strip represents “Energy”
1.
2.
The person that has the Sun card will hold the energy.
The sun hands the whole energy strip to the Producer. This whole strip represents the
producer getting 100% of the energy from the sun.
•
3.
CUT the energy strip at 90 cm. It has been used by the producer and is no longer available.
The remaining 10% of the energy is stored in the producer and will be passed on when it is
consumed)
First level (primary) consumer takes the 10 cm energy strip by consuming the producer.
4.
•
5.
6.
With your group, discuss and write down at least 3 things the producer will do that will require energy.
In your journal, discuss and write down at least 3 things this consumer will do that will require energy.
CUT the energy strip at 9 cm. It has been used by the primary consumer and is no longer
available. The remaining 10% (1 cm) is stored in this consumer and will be passed on when
it is consumed)
Repeat the process for the secondary and tertiary consumers. Each time you will use the
10% rule . Remember to record /sketch all steps in your journal listing each time 3 activities
this consumer does that would require energy use.
Write a conclusion as to why your group thinks there are less consumers as you go higher up the food chain or
energy pyramid and include an estimation of how much energy remains for decomposers.