Science Sampler: Magic termites—Exploring scientific inquiry

by: Kristine Callis, Melissa Henkel, and Rachael Lund

The objective of the termite experiment is to walk students through the process of designing and conducting an experiment while allowing them to use inquiry-based methods to infer why, in this lab, termites follow the line of blue Bic or Paper Mate brand ballpoint pens. This experiment also reinforces the concept of observation versus inference and introduces independent and dependent variables. Students not only identify variables, but also identify constants in their experiment.

Details

Type Journal ArticlePub Date 3/1/2010Stock # ss10_033_07_61Volume 033Issue 07

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