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.
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- Using Ants, Animal Behavior, & the Learning Cycle to Investigate Scientific Processes
- Ligon, Russell (Author)
- Hicks, Michael (Author)
- Dolezal, Adam G. (Author)
- Butler, Michael W. (Author)
- Morehouse, Nathan I. (Author)
- Ganesh, Tirupalavanam (Author)
- College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (Contributor)
- Digital object identifier: 10.1525/abt.2014.76.8.6
- Identifier TypeInternational standard serial numberIdentifier Value1938-4211
- Identifier TypeInternational standard serial numberIdentifier Value0002-7685
- Published as [provide complete bibliographic citation, as appears in the print version of your journal]. © 2014 by [the Regents of the University of California/Sponsoring Society or Association]. Copying and permissions notice: Authorization to copy this content beyond fair use (as specified in Sections 107 and 108 of the U. S. Copyright Law) for internal or personal use, or the internal or personal use of specific clients, is granted by [the Regents of the University of California/on behalf of the Sponsoring Society] for libraries and other users, provided that they are registered with and pay the specified fee via Rightslink® on [JSTOR (http://www.jstor.org/r/ucal)] or directly with the Copyright Clearance Center, http://www.copyright.com.
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Ligon, Russellell A., Hicks, Michael R., Dolezal, Adam G., Butler, Michael W., Morehouse, Nathan I., & Ganesh, Tirupalavanam G. (2014). Using Ants, Animal Behavior & the Learning Cycle to Investigate Scientific Processes. AMERICAN BIOLOGY TEACHER, 76(8), 525-534. http://dx.doi.org/10.1525/abt.2014.76.8.6