Name:

Class:

Tools for the Task

Write-up:
Hypothesis: _____________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________
Point System:
Food Source: Points:
Pretzel 2
Popcorn 4
Raisins 4
Sunflower Seeds 8
Caramels 10

Results:

Season: Fork Season: Spoon Season: Knife

(# alive) (# alive) (# alive)
0 0 0
1 1 1
2 2 2
3 3 3
4 4 4
5 5 5
6 6 6
7 7 7
8 8 8
9 9 9
10 10 10
Analyze:

1. How do particular adaptations of animals affect what they eat?

2. Based on your observations, which type of “animal” was better able to

cope with changes in food supply?

3. Is an animal’s ability to eat a variety of food an adaptation? Explain your

answer.

4. Why do some animals die even when food seems to be abundant and
varied?
 Tools for the Task
Rules:
1. You will randomly select a knife, fork or spoon to represent your unique
eating adaptation

2. You will also collect a small dish to represent your stomach during this
activity

3. A small area will be designated as the ecosystem, various food items will
be scattered throughout this ecosystem, you will need to stay within your
ecosystem or become sport for the local hunters

4. During each season, you will be asked to collect and deposit food into
your stomach using only your unique eating adaptation (knife, fork, spoon)

5. You will need to collect enough food points to survive to the next season
(because you are a hibernating organisms you do not have the opportunity
to eat all year round), if you do not achieve enough food points you are
eliminated from the game

6. Each season will be no longer than 30 seconds

7. The experiment “Tools for the Task” will run no longer than 10 seasons

8. May the best adapted organism survive

 Tools for the Task
Results:
Season Season
Student: Adaptation: Student: Adaptation:
Eliminated: Eliminated:
K/F/S K/F/S

K/F/S K/F/S

K/F/S K/F/S

K/F/S K/F/S

K/F/S K/F/S

K/F/S K/F/S

K/F/S K/F/S

K/F/S K/F/S

K/F/S K/F/S

K/F/S K/F/S

K/F/S K/F/S

K/F/S K/F/S

K/F/S K/F/S

K/F/S K/F/S