Grade:
Activity #:
Activity Title:
Recommended Group Size:
Special Notes:
Fourth
2
Protective Coloration
Individual
This experiment can be started in the
classroom and then moved outside
Purpose
To explore the concepts of natural selection and camouflage, as well as investigate
the importance of adaptations in predator/prey relationships. Scientific Question:
What color worm would be harder to catch by predators in our area during October?
Equipment
•
•
•
(An asterisks (*) indicates that an item provided in Learning Lab.)
Red and Green Markers (have students use own)
Flat Toothpicks (15 per student)*
Scrap paper*
Instructions
•
•
•
•
•
•
This experiment will require going outside.
Begin class with a brief discussion of natural selection, adaptations and
predator/prey relationships.
Have students color 5 toothpicks red, 5 toothpicks green, and leave 5
toothpicks beige. Please have them color on scrap paper to protect their
desks.
These toothpicks will simulate worms. Have the students state their
hypothesis and make their predictions of how many “worms” they will find.
The class should now go outside with their worms. They should spread
out. Instruct them to hold out their hands, close their eyes, and drop
the worms. It might be a good idea to demonstrate dropping vs throwing.
When they are given a signal, they should open their eyes and try to find
them. Give the students 2 minutes to pretend that they are birds (a
natural predator of worms) and hunt for the worms. They should record
their findings. Collect and dispose of the toothpicks.
•
Upon return to the classroom the class should discuss their findings and
record the total class findings and their conclusions.
Suggested Discussion Topics
•
Why is camouflage important?
•
Predator/Prey relationships, Food Chains, Natural Selection
•
Vocabulary Words:
Traits – characteristics of living things
Adaptation – a trait that helps an organism survive in its environment
Camouflage – a trait in which an animal hides by blending in with its
environment
• Blending, Pattern, Disguise
Mimicry – an adaption in which one kind of organism looks like another
•
Are our simulated worms representative of worms common to this area?
What color are earthworms? Why? What is their habitat - where do
they live?
Additional Resources
http://www.howstuffworks.com/animal-camouflage.htm
http://ellerbruch.nmu.edu/classes/cs255w03/cs255students/nsovey/P6/P6.
html
http://www.enature.com/articles/detail.asp?storyID=569
http://www.brainpopjr.com/science/animals/camouflage/grownups.weml
http://teacher.scholastic.com/products/Instructor/Mar05_camouflage.htm
http://animals.pppst.com/camouflage.html
(This site has some great PowerPoint presentations you can have the teacher
project from her laptop and show the students)
Adapted by Science Works from Sally Mazzone
Scientist__________________
Date_________________
#___
Protective Coloration Experiment
SPI 0407.5.1 – Determine how physical or behavioral adaptation can enhance the chances of survival
Purpose: What color worms would be harder to catch by predators in our
area in October?
Hypothesis: I think _______________ color worms will be harder to
catch by predators because ____________________________________.
I think _____________ and _____________ color worms will be easier to
catch by predators because __________________________________.
Materials: 5 red, 5 beige, and 5 green toothpicks
Procedures: The class will spread out in a grassy area outside. When
signaled, close your eyes and drop your toothpicks in one spot in the grass in
front of you. When signaled again, open your eyes and try to find them. You
will be stopped after two minutes.
Observations:
Red
Beige
Green
Prediction of how many
I think I will find
____
____
____
Actual Findings
____
____
____
Total Class Findings
____
____
____
Conclusions: The ______________ color worms were hardest to catch by
predators in our area in October. The __________and____________color
worms were easier to catch. The reason for this is___________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________