Experiment 2: Mealworm Races
Hypothesis: We wanted to know if size affects speed. We hypothesized that the biggest mealworm would be the fastest.
Materials:
-Shoebox cover divided into 3 sections
-Lemon juice
-Timer
Procedures:
1. Prepare the racetrack (divide into 3 sections and make a trail of lemon juice for the mealworms to follow).
2. Place all 3 mealworms on the track and time them.
3. Place mealworms individually on the track and time them.
Observations:
Race 1:
Largest mealworm: 27 seconds
Middle mealworm: 40 seconds (only completed half of the race)
Smallest mealworm: Wouldn't follow the line; wanted to explore around the lemon juice.
Race 2:
Largest mealworm: 28 seconds (with guidance).
Race 3:
Middle mealworm: wanted to explore.
Race 4:
Smallest mealworm: wanted to explore.
Conclusions: We believe that size does affect speed and that the size of the largest mealworm contributed to his ability to win the race. However, we also believe that age and maturity may be a factor.
Independent Variables: Size and length of the racetrack, use of lemon juice to guide mealworms.
Dependent Variables: Speed of the mealworms, ability of mealworms to complete the race.
Hypothesis: We wanted to know if size affects speed. We hypothesized that the biggest mealworm would be the fastest.
Materials:
-Shoebox cover divided into 3 sections
-Lemon juice
-Timer
Procedures:
1. Prepare the racetrack (divide into 3 sections and make a trail of lemon juice for the mealworms to follow).
2. Place all 3 mealworms on the track and time them.
3. Place mealworms individually on the track and time them.
Observations:
Race 1:
Largest mealworm: 27 seconds
Middle mealworm: 40 seconds (only completed half of the race)
Smallest mealworm: Wouldn't follow the line; wanted to explore around the lemon juice.
Race 2:
Largest mealworm: 28 seconds (with guidance).
Race 3:
Middle mealworm: wanted to explore.
Race 4:
Smallest mealworm: wanted to explore.
Conclusions: We believe that size does affect speed and that the size of the largest mealworm contributed to his ability to win the race. However, we also believe that age and maturity may be a factor.
Independent Variables: Size and length of the racetrack, use of lemon juice to guide mealworms.
Dependent Variables: Speed of the mealworms, ability of mealworms to complete the race.