Activity Object Details

Activity Object Library

S19-6

Mutualism

In the mouth of the crocodile, the learner becomes the plover bird and picks bits of decaying meat from the teeth.

Course

Science

Type

Concept Development

Description

Students learn basic information about symbiotic relationships within an ecosystem and details about mutualism, which is a type of symbiotic relationship. In the engagement, an Egyptian plover bird is displayed inside a crocodile’s mouth to pique students’ interest in mutualism. Students then take control of the plover bird and they eat the decaying meat inside a crocodile’s mouth. In the second interaction, students then do an experiment, where they explore the relationship between these two organisms by separating them. As part of the experiment, they state hypotheses, make observations and analyze the results. Then mutualism is clearly explained. In the next interaction, six different species are presented and students find the mutualism pairs based on information about needs and characteristics of each species. When the students select the correct pair, an animation describes the relationship between the two species. In the closure, the importance of mutualism is briefly summarized.

Prerequisites

Species, hypothesis, graphs

Approximate Learning Time

30 minutes

Grade Level

6 - 8

Keywords

Biology, life sciences, symbiosis, mutualism, egyptian plover, crocodile, bird, algae, fungi, flower, bee, termite, protozoa, mutual relation, teeth.

[h]Learner Outcomes[/h] [p]After completing this activity, students will be able to:[/p] [ul] [li class="obj_1"]Explain that in a mutualism relationship both species benefit from the close association.[/li] [li class="obj_2"]Identify two species that form a pair in a mutualism relationship.[/li] [/ul] [h]Developing Abilities[/h] [p]This activity object contributes to the development of the following abilities:[/p] [ul] [li class="lout_list"]Experimental design.[/li] [li class="lout_list"]Design and conduct a scientific investigation.[/li] [li class="lout_list"]Make a hypothesis or prediction prior to conducting an investigation.[/li] [li class="lout_list"]Develop descriptions, explanations, predictions, and models using evidence.[/li] [li class="lout_list"]Evaluate a hypothesis or prediction after conducting an investigation.[/li] [li class="lout_list"]Critically think about relationships between evidence and explanations.[/li] [li class="lout_list"]Analyze data and develop a conclusion.[/li] [li class="lout_list"]Use mathematics in scientific inquiry.[/li] [li class="lout_list"]Use graphs to assist in analyzing or interpreting data.[/li] [/ul]