In this lab, you will be modeling resource consumption using cereal and spoons. You will then
design your own simulation and make some inferences about resource consumption in the real
world. As you go through the lab, imagine that the cereal you are using is a real resource such as
water, food, energy, land, minerals, coal, lumber, or wildlife.
Be sure to:
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Follow safe practices during this investigation.
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Think about what you are modeling as you go through the investigation. The pieces of
cereal represent a real-life resource. Keep in mind that the cereal could be water, food,
minerals, land, or other resources.
Materials
NOTE: You do not need these materials in order to complete the dry lab.
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100 pieces of cereal
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Table
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2 spoons of the same size
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Cup
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Timer or clock that shows seconds
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Other small items (e.g., paper clips, beans, pasta, rice, etc.)
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Other grasping devices (e.g., tweezers, tongs, fingers, etc.)
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Pencil
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Paper
Procedure
Part 1: Modeling Resource Consumption
A student set up and performed the three tests described below. These tests were part of an
experiment designed to test the independent variable of placement of natural resources and its
effect on the rate that resources can be obtained.
1.
Test A.
Even Distribution of Nearby ResourcesSpread 100 pieces of cereal relatively
evenly across the surface of the table. Be sure you are able to reach all of the pieces
easily.
2.
Place the cup in front of you, and set the timer for 1 minute.
3.
Hold a spoon in each hand, as you would if you were using them to get a serving of
salad.
4.
Start the timer, and begin collecting pieces of cereal one at a time using both spoons.
Place each piece collected in the cup before trying to collect another. Do not move the
cup.
5.
After 1 minute, count the pieces of cereal in the cup. Record the number under Trial 1 in
the correct row of the table in the Data for Part 1 section.
6.
Repeat steps 1 through 5 two more times. Record the results in the proper columns for
trials 2 and 3.
1.
Test B.
Uneven Distribution of Nearby ResourcesSpread 100 pieces of cereal unevenly
(in small patches separated by some space) on the surface of the table. Be sure the
cereal covers the same area as it did for Test A.
