I wonder how fast Manduca grows compared to me...

Students will attempt a measurement data collection similar to the penny exercise, in order to compare and contrast their data. Using their observation journals, students will look back on the growth rate of their Manduca by looking at the classroom Manduca growth graph, the website growth chart, or their own data. They will then look for patterns in growth rate. Then students will compare their growth rate to Manduca's in order to determine which grows faster, human or Manduca.

Subject Area Focus:  science & math

Objectives:

  1. gather information about the size of the insect
  2. estimate how much it has grown
  3. calculate how much it has grown
  4. compare the insects' rate of growth to their own growth rate.

Materials:

Procedures:

  1. Students should complete daily observation in their journals. Teacher should pass out a penny and a dollar to each student/group.
    **Play money can be sustituted for real money.
  2. Look at your Manduca next to the penny. Calculate how much bigger is it than it was when you made this observation on day two? Use your ruler to help you find your results. Also, you can look back on your notes from day two.
  3. Teacher can record students calculation on the board/overhead, and discuss the differences in measurement.
  4. Ask students:
    - How many Manduca can you fit on a dollar bill now?
    -Could you fit more 2-day old Manduca on a dollar? Using the data from your day two measurements estimate how many two day old Manduca could fit on a dollar bill.
  5. Teacher can give some data about human birth weight and growth:
    - 1st month human babies grow 1-4 inches, gains 1-4 pounds
    - 1st year human babies grow 7-11 more inches, gains 12-20 pounds
    - 2nd year human babies grow 4-8 more inches, gains 4-14 pounds
    - 3rd year human babies grow 2-8 more inches, gains 4-16 pounds
    - 4th year human babies grow 3-8 inches, gains 3-15 pounds
    - 5th year human babies grow 2-8 inches, gains 2-20 pounds
    - 6th year human babies grow 2-9 inches, gains 3-27 pounds
  6. Do you think Manduca grows as fast as humans? Think about your answer, dicuss your answer with the person next to you, and then raise your hand when you are ready to share your answer with the class.
  7. To find out the answer count a year of human life as the same as one day in the life of Manduca which grows faster, human or Manduca?
    **This activity may be best accomplished as a whole class activity, or in small groups. Some students will have a hard time using the information provided in step 7 to help them answer the question mathematically.
  8. Tonight go home and ask your family how much you weighed and how long you were when you were born. (Share these facts in class the next day)

    **Manduca growth chart can be found on All About Manduca Tab.