NAME___________________________________ BLOCK_______ DATE___________
Termite Behavior
Purpose: In this activity, we will use termites to practice using the scientific method. You will
observe the behavior of the termites and make conclusions about their behavior.
Introduction: Working in groups, use the scientific method to conduct a controlled experiment
dealing with termite behavior. Handle them carefully! Termites damage easily. Do not
injure/kill the termites.
Problem: How do termites respond to different stimuli (different ink/lead)?
Procedure/Experiment:
1. Obtain 4 pieces of computer paper from Mrs. MacWilliams.
2. Retrieve several termites from Mrs. MacWilliams. Put the termites on a single sheet of
paper at your desk. Observe their movements for at least one minute.
Q1. Describe the termites’ movements (you will answer this in your typed paper):
3. Using a papermate ballpoint pen, carefully draw a LARGE figure 8 on the piece of blank
paper. Make sure to go over the figure several times. Observe the termites again.
Q2. What do you notice about SOME of the termites in regards to the ink on the paper?
(you will answer this in your typed REPORT):
4. Pick out 1-3 termites that are following the lines in the figure 8. Put termites who DO NOT
FOLLOW THE LINES back into the storage container. You will now use the termites who
followed the line for the rest of the experiment.
5. Using the above data create an if/then statement and test the hypothesis with new
manipulated variables (different pens/pencils) Repeat the above procedure using the
Papermate Ballpoint pen and three (3) new pens or pencils and fill in your data tables.
MAKE SURE YOU INCLUDE THIS IN YOUR TYPED REPORT.
4. Observe your termite(s) for 3 minutes and record what they are doing every 30 seconds
using the tables below. Simply check the box off according to what the termite(s) are doing at
the observation time.
PAPERMATE BALLPOINT PEN
Response
No response
Avoidance
Response
No response
Avoidance
Response
No response
Avoidance
30 sec.
60 sec.
90 sec.
120 sec.
150 sec.
180 sec.
30 sec.
60 sec.
90 sec.
120 sec.
150 sec.
180 sec.
30 sec.
60 sec.
90 sec.
120 sec.
150 sec.
180 sec.
Response
No response
Avoidance
30 sec.
60 sec.
90 sec.
120 sec.
150 sec.
180 sec.
6. Clean up and return all materials after the experiment is completed. MAKE SURE YOU
RETURN ALL OF THE TERMITES TO THE STORAGE CONTAINER!!!!
7. Using Microsoft Word, type up ONE lab report for your group to be turned in. YOU
SHOULD HAVE THE FOLLOWING IN YOUR REPORT:
1) Title
2) Introduction paragraph (what are you testing)
3) Hypothesis (in an “If… then… statement)
4) Tables
5) Answer Q1-Q5
Q1. Describe the termites’ movements (in the beginning of the lab)
Q2. What do you notice about SOME of the termites in regards to the ink on the
paper? (in the beginning of the lab)
Q3. What is the control in the experiment?
Q4. What is the independent (manipulated) variable in the experiment?
Q5. What is the dependent (responding) variable in the experiment?
8. Conclusion summing up your results and thoughts about the experiment. Give a scientific
explanation as to why the termites respond as they do. In addition, explain if the termite’s
behavior supported or refuted your hypothesis.