oLife Science: Potato Trap
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Vocabulary: Crawling, creatures, dark, dry, find, hunt, isopods, look, moisture, pill bugs, roll, search, trap
Materials: Potato, rubber band, sharp knife, spoon
Activity: Slice a potato in half, length-wise. Scoop out the insides with a spoon. Carve a small hole in one end of a potato half. Put the potato halves back together. Secure the halves with a rubber band. Hide several potatos, in different places, outside. Check on the traps, the next day, and see what animals are inside the trap.
Measurement: Map where you found which animals, how many you found, weather conditions and include a photo of that animal..
Resource: Williams, R et al. (2008). Science Adventures, pgs. 140-141, “Roly-Poly Roundup. (Buy on Amazon)
oBig Ideas from Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines
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Properties of Matter: How does the shape of the potato affect how many animals it can trap?
Force and Motion: How does the shape of the potato affect whether animals can escape?
Earth Science: How does the type of ground (soil, mulch, gravel) affect how many animals it can trap?
Characteristics of Organisms:
Life Cycles of Organisms:
How Organisms Interact with the Environment:
Tools and Measurement:
oAdditional Photos
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Cutting Potato
Hollowing Potato
Closing Potato
Burying Potato
Finding Critters
Saving Critters
