Scientific+Method+and+Termites

The main purpose of this lab was for you to learn about the Scientific Method. However, we got to play with termites in the process.

You can review materials about the Scientific Method here. The site also gives examples for [|pseudoscience]. What do these examples have in common?

If you are interested in finding out more about termites, you can also get more background information here.

If you want to see the termites on the move again, check out the videos below:

This termite follows a figure 8 on a dish. media type="youtube" key="nl1ECK6Vnmo" height="315" width="420"

This video may be especially useful, if you missed class. It shows the ant's reaction to different markers. media type="youtube" key="AtS4Tlquc0M" height="315" width="560"

According to a comment to the video below, termites will even follow the pen line, if you turn the page over. We should try that in class. media type="youtube" key="h7HCX1OCdSk" width="425" height="350"

Here is some more fun stuff that people did with termites: media type="youtube" key="k3IMxO4O2NY" height="345" width="420"

What we can learn from termites and ants: Every since I heard this TED talk for the first time, I have been fascinated with the things we can learn from ants.

Deborah Gordon: The emergent genius of ant colonies Deborah Gordon: What ants teach us about the brain, cancer and the internet

and this one How ants find food.