LABORATORY ACTIVITIES USING INSECTS AND INVERTEBRATES

Compiled by:
Samantha Dolen

Dept. of Biological Sciences, Illinois State University, Normal, IL 61790-4120

These resources were compiled as part of an Independent Study project in science education conducted under the supervision of Prof. J. E. Armstrong. Project Completion: July 1993

INTRODUCTION

This file is presented as a supplimentary resource to Biology and Chemistry teachers in Secondary Education. With the increased emphasis on improving the problem solving abilities of today's students, laboratory activities have become more and more important in the science curriculum. Unfortunately, many teachers are not equipped with the resources (e.g. money, time, facilities) to conduct full-scale investigative laboratories. However, many science teachers have developed, through years of teaching and testing, methods by which students can become familiar with laboratory work and increase their ability to solve problems.

The following entries are from books, journals, and microfiche and provide many ways in which simple, inexpensive laboratories may be run. Using the information provided below, you may locate the article and prepare an activity that has been shown to provide useful learning in the secondary classroom. It is the intention of this project to provide only resource and helpful citations to teachers interested in performing successful laboratories. These resources were compiled in preparation for student teaching, and having done the work, these citations are made available to teachers without access to ERIC and other educational databases, and to save others from having to make similar searches.

What is ERIC?

The following lists of resources are largely from the ERIC database (Educational Resources Information Center), a national information system designed and supported by the U.S. Department of Education to provide ready access to exemplary programs, research and development efforts, and related information that can be used in developing more effective educational programs. ERIC gives listings of both educational journals and microfiche. ERIC uses systematic keyword searches to refernces of innovative programs, conference proceedings, bibliographies, professional papers, curriculum-related materials, and reports of educational reasearch. "Descriptors" are assigned to each report so that they may be found through a subject index. The descriptors used to locate the following citations are listed so that similar articles may be located if the user desires to conduct a future search. Two other resources that correspond to ERIC are Resources in Education (RIE) and Current Index to Journals in Education.

This file includes a variety of topics using insects as laboratory organisms. Most of the insects can be easily and cheaply acquired and cultured.

Laboratory activities have become an essential part of all high school science programs. These resources are provided for enrichment of student understanding of vital topics and the Scientific Method. While the articles listed here include outlines and suggestions for laboratories, remember that any journal article can be manipulated for student use.

AUTHOR: Brett,-William-J.

TITLE: How-to-Do-It: Insect Singularis. 1989 American-Biology-Teacher; v51 n1 p43-45 Jan 1989

DOCUMENT TYPE: Journal Articles (080); Guides - Classroom - Teacher (052)

DESCRIPTORS: Laboratory-Experiments; Motivation-Techniques; Science-Experiments; Science-Instruction; Science-Interests

DESCRIPTORS: *Biology-; *Experiential-Learning; *Laboratory- Procedures; *Science-Laboratories; *Secondary-School-Science; *Teaching-Methods

ABSTRACT: Presents an exercise which was designed to help students read material and follow directions more appropriately when performing laboratory activities. Provides a list of materials, instructions, comments, vocabulary words, and a diagrammatical sketch of an insect. (RT)

A sourcebook for the Biological Sciences Evelyn Morholt and Paul F. Brandwein

TOPIC--Microorganisms in the Soil, page 601

ABSTRACT: Nematodes can be isolated from the soil using a Baermann funnel or a Berlese funnel. These can be made using a glassfunnel or paper cone and a seive or piece of cheese cloth to hold the soil. A light source should be placed above the soil so th nematodes will move to the bottom of the funnel into a collecting bottle containing methanol. These can be used for student observations. Different types of soil and refuse can be substituted in order to compare the types of nematodes present. This is a good way to familiarize students with these organisms. The devise is fairly easy to assemble and different size mesh or cheescloth can be used to cultivate different sizes and species of organisms. It is somewhat difficult for students to visualize these microscopic organisms that they can only view in books. This device makes it possible for them to see these organisms first hand.

TOPIC--Insects (Tenebrio Beetles), page 676

ABSTRACT: Mealworms, the larvae of tenebrio beetles, can be purchased at aquarium shops. Using jars half-filled with moist bran or oatmeal and covered with a fine mesh, these beetles can develop through their life-cycle. Adult beetles should be fed bits of raw carrots or potatoes. The complete life-cycle may take four to six months. Along with showing a complete reproductive cycle and metamorphosis, these beetles can also be used for food for laboratory fish, amphibia, and some reptiles.

AU: Kinchin,-Ian-M.

TI: The Moss Fauna 1: Tardigrades.

PY: 1987

JN: Journal-of-Biological-Education; v21 n4 p288-90 Win 1987

DT: Journal Articles (080); Reports - Descriptive (141); Guides - Classroom - Teacher (052)

DE: Biology-; College-Science; Higher-Education; Laboratory- Experiments; Science-Education; Science-Instruction; Secondary- Education; Zoology-

DE: *Laboratory-Animals; *Laboratory-Procedures; *Science- Activities; *Science-Experiments; *Secondary-School-Science; *Teaching-Methods

AB: Describes the Tardigrada as a group of animals suitable for close study in project work. Gives reasons for their suitability and an illustrated identification key. Discusses possible investigations into the ecology and physiology of tardigrades.

AU: Tucker,-David-C.

TI: A Safe Lab on Nerve Gases.

PY: 1988

JN: Science-Teacher; v55 n2 p27-30 Feb 1988

DT: Journal Articles (080); Guides - Classroom - Teacher (052)

DE: Biology-; Chemistry-; Controversial-Issues-Course-Content; Laboratory-Procedures; Laboratory-Safety; Science-Education; Secondary-Education; Teaching-Methods

DE: *Biochemistry-; *Enzymes-; *Laboratory-Experiments; *Physiology-; *Science-Activities; *Secondary-School-Science

AB: Describes an experiment involving pineapples and gelatin that allows students to investigate the conditions that typically render an enzyme functionless, similar to the effect of nerve gasses. Discusses the materials, procedures, and results, drawing analogies to the effects of a nerve gas. (CW)

AU: Petersen,-Nadine

TI: Dissection on a Micro Scale.

PY: 1986

JN: Science-Teacher; v53 n8 p19-21 Nov 1986

DT: Journal Articles (080); Guides - Classroom - Teacher (052)

DE: Biology-; Laboratory-Equipment; Science-Activities; Science- Education; Science-Equipment; Secondary-Education; Surgery-

DE: *Anatomy-; *Laboratory-Experiments; *Science-Experiments; *Science-Instruction; *Secondary-School-Science

AB: Describes procedures for examining a beetle's anatomy with microsurgical tools. Instructions for experimental exercises dealing with the insect's structure and digestive enzymes are outlined. Tips on how to make a microscalpel are also included.