Butterfly Mimicry Lesson Video
Lesson Plan:
*You can use the document in the link below to either: tailor the experiment to your needs or to have a printable version of this lesson plan*
Google Doc of Butterfly Mimicry Lesson Plan
The plan is editable and printable. Copy the Google Doc in your own drive and make edits or you can just print.
Overview:
Students will taste similar-looking sodas to explore how mimicry works with the Monarch and Viceroy butterflies. The 2nd experiment will teach students how animals mimic other animals through their sight with the use of M&Ms and Skittles. The goal of these experiments is to explain to students how camouflage and mimicry help animals in their natural habitat.
Learning Objectives:
- Observe how camouflage works in nature.
- Analyze the importance of camouflage.
- Utilize their sense of taste to see how mimicry coincides with camouflage.
Alignment with NGSS (Next Generation Science Standards)
| 1-LS1-2. | Read texts and use media to determine patterns in the behavior of parents and offspring that help offspring survive. |
| 3-LS4-2. | Construct an argument with evidence that in a particular habitat some organisms can survive well, some survive less well, and some cannot survive at all. |
| 3-LS4-3. | Construct an argument with evidence that in a particular habitat some organisms can survive well, some survive less well, and some cannot survive at all. |
Logistics:
STEAM Subjects:
Science (Chemistry) and Art
Science Vocabulary:
-Camouflage
-Predator
-Prey
-Mimicry
Time:
30-40 min
Materials:
1st Experiment (M&M Birds)
- 3oz – King size bag of M&M
- 16 oz bag of Skittles
- Resealable plastic sandwich bags
- Pie Pan
- Gloves
- Timer
2nd Experiment (Camo Drinks)
- Each student receives their own (2) cups
- 1 Soda (Sprite)
- 1 Seltzer water or tonic water
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