What you will turn in:
The list of materials you used for the simulation
The written procedure (You may use the procedure below and change the materials)
Your data table
Your bar or line graph
Your analysis of the results
Try this activity. You will need a partner such as your Learning Coach, friend, or family member. Follow the steps to model how changes in the amounts of resources can impact animal populations.
Materials:
10 blue beads (small animals)
10 yellow beads (insects)
10 green beads (grasses)
10 red beads (berries)
Timer
Pen and paper
The beads represent different types of food. Species A needs 15 beads for the population to survive the winter. Species A can eat green, red, and yellow beads. Species B needs 18 beads for the population to survive the winter. Species B can eat blue, green, and red beads.
Procedure:
You model species A, and your partner models species B. Scatter all of the beads randomly on a surface.
For one minute, both species (you and your partner) should attempt to collect enough beads to survive the winter. Count and record the number and colors of beads each species collected.
Scatter the beads again and repeat step two. (You will have 2 data tables and charts that you will submit) Example: Data for Species A and Species B
(You can either attach or insert your data table and charts here or upload it separately)
Analysis:
Did species A survive?
Did species B survive?
Were the results the same?
What did you learn from the simulation?
Based on the data collected what is your conclusion?
Materials used for the simulation:
- 10 blue beads
- 10 yellow beads
- 10 green beads
- 10 red beads
- Timer
- Pen and paper
Procedure:
1. Scatter all of the beads randomly on a surface.
2. For one minute, both species (you and your partner) should attempt to collect enough beads to survive the winter. Count and record the number and colors of beads each species collected.
3. Scatter the beads again and repeat step two.
Data Table:
Species A:
Trial 1 - Blue beads: 4, Yellow beads: 3, Green beads: 5, Red beads: 2
Trial 2 - Blue beads: 2, Yellow beads: 4, Green beads: 6, Red beads: 3
Species B:
Trial 1 - Blue beads: 5, Yellow beads: 2, Green beads: 4, Red beads: 5
Trial 2 - Blue beads: 3, Yellow beads: 3, Green beads: 6, Red beads: 6
Bar Graph:
[Insert bar graph here]
Analysis:
- Species A survived in both trials as they collected enough beads (15 beads) for the population to survive the winter.
- Species B survived in both trials as well since they also collected enough beads (18 beads) for the population to survive the winter.
- The results were the same for both species in terms of survival.
- From the simulation, we learned that the availability of different food resources can impact animal populations' survival.
- Based on the data collected, we can conclude that both species were able to adapt and collect enough food resources to survive the winter.