In this activity students will work in groups to investigate two different organisms, a worm from the annelid phylum, and a cockroach from one of the insect orders. Each group will conduct their investigations using the World Wide Web as a resource, and a real example of the organism for comparison.Note that there is a significant difference between the two animal examples provided. The worm will be dead and dissected. The cockroach will be alive and caged. Observations will be an important part of the group investigation, as will be a comparison of the real organisms to the technologic versions as presented on the Web.
Yuckiest Site on the Internet
Wendell Worm Here: "Did you ever wonder why I am important in nature?"
Rodney Cockroach: "Hey Wendell, what about me? I have a role to play too. You might say I'm an immigrant."
Wendell: "You're right Rodney. "
"Hey group, do you want to know more about our slimy, creepie, crawlie lifestyles and eating habits? Then join us in this hands-on interactive lesson. You'll be using the Internet and lab specimens to complete a fun project. So, let's get started."
Begin at the Yuckiest Site on the Internet: http://www.yucky.com.
Launch Netscape
In the Location box type:
www.yucky.com
Explore as your group wishes, answering the questions below, and preparing a presentation for the other group(s). You will have about thirty minutes to work, and five to ten minutes to present your discoveries. Your presentation will need to use two or three different Web address links, and one sound or movie clip. Your presentation will have two parts.
First, for your organism: report on
where they live
what they eat
how they breathe, eat, digest, and reproduce
how they interact with their environment (including a food chain)
where the organism fits into the ecosystem in which it lives
how the animal has adapted to its enviroment over time
how the organism compares to others like it (likes and differences)
how discoveries have been made and recorded through time
what hazards exist for them as individuals and as a species
what benefits and disadvantages humans perceive about the organism
what you discovered about them that seemed unusual or interesting
what questions your group still has about the organism
Second, for your organism: report on
a comparison of the real animal to the Internet version
your group's attitude towards learning from the Internet
NSF/USI Program Specialist Jackie Dean examines "Steven" the Madagascar Cockroach owned and handled by Mary Lightbody, Teacher Support Team. Media Specialist Linda Joseph wears "Steven" on her shoulder after he helped her demonstrate various web sites to educators during one of her excellent staff development programs.
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