This is the most advanced of the bird beak labs, as students need to record times, calculate average and graph data. For simpler bird beak labs, check here and here.
There are 8 stations. At each station, the student will use each provided beak to collect a prescribed amount of the food source. Another student will time how long it takes for each beak to accomplish the task. Several trials will be performed with each beak. Then the averages will be calculated and a bar graph will be constructed.
Station 1:
Nectar: water in a graduated cylinder
Tools:
--Shoestring
--Medicine dropper
--Sponge strip
Challenge:
Collect 10 mL of nectar
Station 2:
Worms: gummy worms in sand
Tools:
--A straw
--Chopsticks
--Wrench
Challenge:
Remove all the gummy worms (make sure they're buried after each trial)
Station 3:
Seeds: sunflower seeds
Tools:
--Pliers
--Chopsticks
--Tweezers
Challenge:
Crack the seed shell and remove the seed inside.
Station 4:
Fish: styrofoam squares floating on water
Tools:
--Chopsticks
--Tweezers
--Slotted spoon
Challenge:
Remove all the styrofoam squares from the water
Station 5:
Algae: loose tea in water
Tools:
--Slotted spoon
--Strainer
--Tweezers
Challenge:
Remove all the tea from the water
Station 6:
Flying Bugs: popped popcorn, tossed in the air by another group member
Tools:
--Tongs
--Envelope
--Chopsticks
Challenge:
Capture 20 kernels, while it is in the air.
Station 7:
Insects: rice in a styrofoam log
Tools:
--Medicine dropper
--Tongs
--Tweezers
Challenge:
Remove 30 insects from the log.
Station 8:
: marshmallows hanging from a string
Tools:
--Chopsticks
--Tongs
--Turkey skewer
Challenge:
Remove 5 marshmallows from the strings.