NOTE to Teachers: This Activity Is Done Using Bite-Size Chocolate Candy Bars for Each Student

NOTE to teachers: This activity is done using bite-size chocolate candy bars for each student

Welcome to the research labs of planet Gorptex. As a fellow Gorptexian, you know that our planet is suffering a severe food shortage. It will only be a matter of time before we, the Gorptexian race, will die of starvation. We have sent our best explorers into space to see if they could locate compatible sources of food on other planets. Today we have received a sample from the Alpha group who rendezvoused with a relatively small planet known as Earth.

Since you are the top scientist on Gorptex, it is your job to observe these samples, record your data and come to some conclusion as to whether or not this is a usable food supplement for the Gorptexian people. Remember, we are a picky people. We only eat foods that are dark green and shades of brown in color. As we have few teeth, our food must be smooth but somewhat chewy to exercise our jaws. Sour foods are out because they make us irritable. And our large noses only are attracted to foods that have an appealing odor.

Good luck. Our planet is counting on you!

RESEARCH

1. What is the problem or question you must answer as a scientist?

2. How do you hope to solve the problem?

Data

Measurement

1. Length_____

2. Width______

3. Height_____

4. Mass______

Physical Appearance

5. outer color______(use the hand lens)

6. shape______

7. outer texture______

Drawing of outer appearance

9. What does the sample smell like? (Compare the foods you already know about on your planet)

Dissect your sample

Examine inside with the hand lens

Describe the inside of the sample

10. color______

11. texture______

12. feel______

13. smell______

14. Draw the inside of the sample

15. Taste the sample and describe in terms of the food you already know about on your planet.

CONCLUSIONS

16. From all your observations, is this a suitable source of food for the planet Gorptex? If your answer is yes, tell us why you think so and base your answer on the data you observed and what you know about Gorptexians. If your answer is no, tell us why you think this is not a good source of food and support it with your data and what you know about Gorptexians.

Intro to Science 6 > Observation Labs > Gorptex 1