Name: Class: Date:

Benchmark 2 - Why we classify

Communicating scientists
Scientists work in many countries across the world and as a result need to be able to
communicate ideas and discoveries with each other effectively. In this activity you
are part of a group of scientists that are researching organisms in the one part of the
world.

Materials
● 10 pictures of organisms
● pen
● paper

Method
1. In your group divide into 2 pairs
2. Look at the characteristics of the organisms in the pictures and identify common
characteristics.
3. Divide the organisms into three groups according to some of these
characteristics.
4. Fill in the table below listing the organisms and their common characteristics.
5. Give each group a name.

Group 1 Group 2 Group 3

Common
characteristics

Organisms in the
group

Name of group

6. Mix up the pictures of organisms again and give them to the other pair in your
group, telling them only the names of the groups you divided them into.
7. See if the other pair can divide the organisms into the same groups as you did.

Discussion
1. Did the other group place all the organisms into the same group as you did? Why
or why not?
2. How might this activity change if both groups spoke different languages?

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