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Life As An Insect In Namib Instructional
Objectives
Background Material
Procedure
Evaluation/Alternative Assessment
Web
Resources
Instructional
Objectives:
Students will:
- Identify the harsh
characteristics of the Namib Desert
- Determine the adaptations an
insect in Namib Desert must have to survive
- Draw an insect found in the
Namib Desert and identify the adaptations
Background
Material:
Several insects with special
adaptations are shown in the program, The Living Edens "Namib." Each of these insects have special adaptations
which makes them well suited to life in this harsh
environment. There is a seashore,desert and mountain
environment shown in the film. View the harsh desert,
mountain, and seashore environment prior to doing the
activity. (If you missed The Living Edens "Namib"program that aired on July 16,
1997 you can order the video).
The teacher should view in advance
the The Living Edens "Namib" program and note the different insects in
the film. Also note the different adaptations
presented in the program and achieve the objectives
above based on the information presented in the film.
Some of the adaptations to talk about in class discussion
from the film are the abilities to:
- Manage extreme
temperatures
- Collect/find moisture
- Have colors that protect
- Hide through camouflage
- Move quickly
- Dig and bury to escape
predators
- Sense movement
(All of these characteristics can
be seen in the The Living Edens "Namib" program)
Life in the Namib desert requires
certain adaptations that make continued existence
possible in the harsh surroundings. Creatures
in this environment must be able to survive with
little water or an ability to store water, be able to
escape the intense heat through some adaptation and
be able to find a source of energy. (Personal
communication, Kim Sneden, Director of Education
Interview, Detroit Zoological Institute, June 14,
1997)
Target
Grade Level: Middle
level students, grades 6-8
Materials
Needed:
- A copy of the PBS program, The Living Edens "Namib"
- Drawing paper/colored pencils
and/or crayons/markers
- Science Journals
- Computer with access to the World
Wide Web, (optional)
- Insect books/field guides for
students to review kinds of insects
Procedure:
- Students will view the PBS program
The Living Edens "Namib," and record the kinds of
insects found in the Namib desert. After viewing the program,
students work in groups of 3-4.
- Discuss in groups, the desert
biome in the Namib
- The teacher presents the concept
of animal adaptations and what adaptations the
insects of Namib might have to exist in the harsh
desert.
- Students return to their groups to
discuss the adaptations observed during the
program and record this information in their
science journals.
- Each student is asked to draw one
of the insects found in the Namib Program. Use
insect books/field guides for general samples of
insects to make the drawings more realistic
Evaluation/Alternative Assessment:
Students will record information
from the Namib Program in the Science Journals. This
information will be used to assist students in the
class discussion. Drawings of the insects can be
displayed in the school hallways or classrooms.
Students can also present their drawings to the class
and explain the adaptations that are necessary for
survival.
Elementary Extensions:
Elementary students can capture
insects in their local environment. Compare and
contrast those found in Namib with those caught
locally. Students may draw the insects that they
find in the local area. Students can also present
the captured insect for class discussion.
Caution: Depending on local environment, some
insects can be dangerous. Please be alert to
these dangers and decide if collection of species
is appropriate in your area. Bee stings and other
bites can cause serious injury.
High School Extensions:
High School students may consider
inviting an entomologist from a local university to
speak to the class about insects and the insect
adaptations of the Namib Desert.
A field trip to a local museum
(where available) to view the insect collections is
also a valuable experience.
An additional activity is to
identify the scientific name of the insects in the
Namib Program and research the behavior and
physiology of the insects of the desert.
Web Resources
http://info.ex.ac.uk/~gjlramel/six.html
http://www.isis.vt.edu/~fanjun/text/Links.html
http://ag.arizona.edu/tree/eukaryotes/animals/arthropoda/arthropoda.html
http://www.orst.edu/dept/infonet/picpag/bensol.htm
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