Group Behavior of Ants
Shown are a large colony of ants. Ants live in colonies that help them to survive.
Location
Metro Waste Authority Environmental Learning Center, Runnells, Iowa
Driving Question
- How does it help animals to live in groups?
Probing Questions
- Do all the animals that live in groups benefit in the same ways?
- What are the benefits and drawbacks of living in a group?
Classroom Suggestions
Students could:
- Look for patterns among different animal groups.
- Act out different scenarios as animal groups in different environments (i.e. predator and prey).
- Research an animal or insect that groups and present findings.
Resources
- PBS | Teaching in Room 9: Animals in Social Groups: This video shows students how animals use social groups.
- PBS LearningMedia | Nature: Arctic Wolf Cubs Learn Pack Behavior: This video shows how young cubs must learn the rules of their pack and submit to older group members in order to survive.
- The Wildlife Diaries | Collective Nouns for Animals: This article lists collective nouns for groups of animals.
Iowa Core Alignment
3-LS2-1:Construct an argument that some animals form groups that help members survive
Credit Info
Submitted by Karla St. John and Amber Fairbanks as part of their Iowa STEM Teacher Externship experience at Iowa PBS.
Video by Iowa PBS
Location courtesy of Metro Waste Authority
Funding for Iowa Science Phenomena provided by:
