Using Ants, Animal Behavior & the Learning Cycle to Investigate Scientific Processes
Saved in:
| Title: | Using Ants, Animal Behavior & the Learning Cycle to Investigate Scientific Processes |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Ligon, Russell A., Dolezal, Adam G., Hicks, Michael R., Butler, Michael W., Morehouse, Nathan I., Ganesh, Tirupalavanam G. |
| Source: | American Biology Teacher. Oct 2014 76(8):525-534. |
| Availability: | University of California Press. 2000 Center Street Suite 303, Berkeley, CA 94704. Tel: 510-643-7154; Fax: 510-642-9917; e-mail: customerservice@ucpressjournals.com; Web site: http://www.ucpressjournals.com/journal.php?j=abt |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 10 |
| Publication Date: | 2014 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Descriptive |
| Education Level: | Middle Schools Secondary Education Junior High Schools |
| Descriptors: | Animals, Animal Behavior, Science Instruction, Middle School Students, Secondary School Science, Hypothesis Testing, Scientific Concepts, Urban Schools, Outreach Programs, Ecology, Concept Formation, Social Behavior, Active Learning, Responses, Science Experiments |
| Geographic Terms: | Arizona |
| DOI: | 10.1525/abt.2014.76.8.6 |
| ISSN: | 0002-7685 |
| Abstract: | The behavior of animals is an intrinsically fascinating topic for students from a wide array of backgrounds. We describe a learning experience using animal behavior that we created for middle school students as part of a graduate-student outreach program, Graduate Partners in Science Education, at Arizona State University in collaboration with a K-8 public school. This activity capitalizes on the interest that animal behavior can generate to introduce and reinforce student understanding of the scientific method. Specifically, our activity highlights the general utility of the scientific method and uses this method to examine ant social behavior, with emphasis on generating and testing hypotheses. Furthermore, this activity introduces the idea of animal societies and encourages students to apply the concepts they learn to other species, including humans. By collecting ants locally, from schoolyards or nearby habitats, this experience situates learning in the context of students' own communities. We also provide optional assessment materials that teachers can use to assess learning objectives and standard mastery. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Number of References: | 5 |
| Entry Date: | 2014 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1044477 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | The behavior of animals is an intrinsically fascinating topic for students from a wide array of backgrounds. We describe a learning experience using animal behavior that we created for middle school students as part of a graduate-student outreach program, Graduate Partners in Science Education, at Arizona State University in collaboration with a K-8 public school. This activity capitalizes on the interest that animal behavior can generate to introduce and reinforce student understanding of the scientific method. Specifically, our activity highlights the general utility of the scientific method and uses this method to examine ant social behavior, with emphasis on generating and testing hypotheses. Furthermore, this activity introduces the idea of animal societies and encourages students to apply the concepts they learn to other species, including humans. By collecting ants locally, from schoolyards or nearby habitats, this experience situates learning in the context of students' own communities. We also provide optional assessment materials that teachers can use to assess learning objectives and standard mastery. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 0002-7685 |
| DOI: | 10.1525/abt.2014.76.8.6 |
