Out of Gas

Materials

water table or tubs

water

clear tubes

siphon pumps

large sheet of paper

marker

Instructions

Put a small amount of each item into each container. (Safety note: Be sure to
check for allergies before selecting the materials to use.)
* Cut wax paper into circles. Prick holes into the circles, so it is easy to smell
through them but not see through.
* Put a wax paper circle over each container and attach with a rubber band.
What to Do
1. Tell the children that they are going to learn all about bees.
2. Ask them how we recognize other people. They will probably answer that it is
by how they look or how they sound.
3. Ask if they know how bees recognize each other.
4. Tell them that bees recognize one another by smell. Bees have special smells
(called pheromones, if they ask), which is how they recognize each other.
5. Tell them that you've captured some smells for them, and you want to see if
they recognize them.
6. Divide them into groups of two or three and give each group a different smell
container.
7. Give them a chance to trade containers and experience all the smells.
8. Talk about the different smells within the bigger group.
Teacher - to - Teacher Tip
* If a child cannot distinguish between the smells at age four, this may be a
symptom of a sensory deficiency or medical condition.
Assessment
Consider the following:
* Ask the children how bees recognize each other.
* Can the children recognize basic aromas?
* Can the children describe how bees cooperate with one another?