(Activity) Entomology Science Project - Why do Plants Make Spices? Exploring Ecological Roles for Common Kitchen Ingredients

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Resource Description:
Grade levels targeted: Grades 4-10 (although the language of these instructions is suited to students in grades 7-10.

National Science Education Standards: Organisms and the environment, structure and function in living systems, diversity and adaptations of organisms, behavior of organisms and methods of scientific inquiry. Entomology Literacy Elements: The project demonstrates the utility of insects as model herbivores for ecological research as well as showing the potential utility of plant-derived compounds for plant protection.

Observations: Our kitchen cupboards are filled with various spices that make our eating experiences fun and delicious. Where do these flavors come from? Mostly they come from plants! We use leaves, flowers, seeds, stems, roots and even bark from various plants to add flavor to our food. Each flavor represents a specific chemical (or a mixture of chemicals) that has been created by a plant.

Question: Why do plants make the chemicals that we enjoy as spices? Do spices benefit the plants that make them?

Materials: - Caterpillar(s) - Fresh leaves from plants the caterpillar likes to eat - Clean container with lid (e.g., Tupperware, peanut butter jar) - Paper towels - Bowls or Tupperware with flat bottom approximately 4 inches across - Plastic wrap - Masking tape and a marker - Scissors - Fresh garlic clove or cayenne pepper - Tap water - Two paint brushes - Clock, watch or timer
Positions
Many
Registration
Opens Apr 5, 2020 3:00pm
Age Limit
All Ages
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