Termite InquiryTermite Inquiry

Termites important ecological

rolestructural pest

Appearancesoft-bodied insect

Social insects

Communication essentialtrail behavior

Termite InquiryTermite Inquiry

1. Divide into groups of 3 1. Divide into groups of 3

2. Supplies needed:2. Supplies needed:- 5 termites- 5 termites- 4 to 8 white sheets of paper- 4 to 8 white sheets of paper- pens, markers, pencils- pens, markers, pencils- paint brush- paint brush

Science Inquiry: Investigate trail behaviorScience Inquiry: Investigate trail behavior

• QuestionQuestion

- Will termites follow lines drawn by a - Will termites follow lines drawn by a PaperMate Pen?PaperMate Pen?

• HypothesisHypothesis

- Termites will not follow lines drawn - Termites will not follow lines drawn by by a PaperMate Pen a PaperMate Pen

Example of DesignExample of Design

Results: What happened?Results: What happened?

• Additional Questions:Additional Questions:

- Will termites follow lines drawn by any - Will termites follow lines drawn by any type type of pen, pencil, or maker?of pen, pencil, or maker?

- Will termites follow any color?- Will termites follow any color?

- Will termites follow any design?- Will termites follow any design?

(REMEMBER TO TEST ONLY ONE VARIABLE (REMEMBER TO TEST ONLY ONE VARIABLE

AT A TIME!)AT A TIME!)

• Development of HypothesesDevelopment of Hypotheses

Results: What happened?Results: What happened?

What variable was responsible for the What variable was responsible for the termite’s attraction?termite’s attraction?

Variables:Variables:

- Color of ink?- Color of ink?- Design?- Design?- Type of pen or pencil?- Type of pen or pencil?

Conclusions: Conclusions:

- which hypotheses were confirmed?- which hypotheses were confirmed?

- explain your results – WHY?- explain your results – WHY?

Termite TrailsTermite TrailsEntomologists have discovered Entomologists have discovered termites will follow any line drawn by a termites will follow any line drawn by a PaperMate Pen, regardless of colorPaperMate Pen, regardless of color

Why?Why?

- chemicals must reside in the ink’s - chemicals must reside in the ink’s composition that mimic the composition that mimic the

termite’s termite’s pheromonepheromone

Other InquiriesOther Inquiries

- Choice studies- Choice studies

- Termite races- Termite racesPaperMate Pen

PencilMarker

PaperMate Pen