Haresh Soorma Earth Science Grade: 5th Making a Vertebrate Backbone QCC: Vertebrates and Invertebrates Objective/Purpose: From this activity students will learn, understand, and observe the fundamental anatomy of the backbone. Materials: 1. Gummy Life Savers 2. Ruote Pasta 3. String such as fishing wire or anything strong enough for a necklace Time Required: Approximately 45 minutes Background Information: The Ruote pasta works best for this activity and be sure to remind the kids that you can’t eat the pasta. The activity should be accompanied be a lecture explaining the differences between vertebrates and invertebrates as well as the characteristics that define each group in order to give the students an idea of the bigger picture. Additionally, the students should be given examples of different Vertebrates and Invertebrates. Preparation: Be sure you can easily set this up and bring bowls if necessary. You will need approximately five packets of both the Gummy Lifesavers and the Pasta for a class of about 25. Pre‐cut the strings to a length of about one foot and tie one end so the pasta and lifesavers will not be able to slide off. It may be beneficial to already have a backbone pre‐made to show to the class, or to make one along with the students. Procedure: 1. Begin by revisiting the topic of invertebrates and vertebrates and giving examples of each as well as explaining the characteristics of each group. A powerpoint will probably work best 2. Distribute the materials. Each student should receive approximately 10 ruote Pasta and 10 gummy lifesavers. It’s best to let the students come up in small groups. 3. The students should first build a backbone with alternating Pasta and Gummy Lifesavers. After they done this show them how the backbone resembles what they have just built. The pasta represents the bone and the gummy lifesavers represent the discs. Show them how flexible the backbone is because of the gummy lifesavers. 4. Next ask the students what they think will happen if you remove the Gummy lifesavers. Tell them to test their hypothesis by removing the gummy lifesavers and leaving just the pasta on the string. 5. Students may eat the left over gummy lifesavers after they have completed the activity Safety Issues: Make sure you tell the students not to eat the raw pasta. Questions: 1. Name at least six examples of invertebrates and vertebrates 2. How are invertebrates and vertebrates different? 3. Explain the purpose and essential parts of a backbone. Evaluation: A worksheet can be used with this activity if desired, but active discussion of the questions proposed above should give an adequate understanding of the concepts involved. Attached are some worksheets that would work well with this unit in general.