Termites are small, soft bodied, pale-colored insects. Termites of the genus Reticulitermes are subterranean where they feed primarily on damp wood and wood debris. They do feed on wood found above ground by creating a connection or tunnel between the soil and the wood they are eating. These connections look like small tunnels of soil running from the ground to the wood.
Once the termites find damp wood they will begin to carve out “galleries.” These galleries distinguish this species from others, Reticulitermes will only cut with the grain of the wood.
Termites are social insects that live in a caste system. This species is usually divided up into four types of termites. The Primary reproductives (King and Queen) have dark bodies, compound eyes and wings; secondary reproductive adults with pale bodies, wing buds and compound eyes; workers with pale bodies, lacking compound eyes and wings; and soldiers with pale bodies, large jaws, and no wings. Both the soldiers and workers are sterile.
The workers perform the main work of the colony. They collect food, feed the queen, soldiers and young and construct the galleries. The soldiers are the defenders of the colony protecting others with their large mandibles.
Continue reading ‘Termites and Animal Behavior’
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Preface
A field trip can be an exhilarating experience for students, and one of the most useful resources that you have for stimulating interest in the natural sciences. Only in the field can students really begin to appreciate such concepts as adaptation, environmental influences, the structure and relationships of natural communities, and geological structures and processes. These topics can be somewhat abstract, yet, if brought alive with field experience, they may be easier for many students to grasp. However, these advantages do not follow automatically from any kind of an excursion, but must instead spring from a carefully planned field trip that has specific objectives. While it should not be so rigidly programmed that there is no room for individual interests or the unexpected opportunity, a certain measure of guidance and organization is necessary if the time is to be used effectively and profitably.
This guide is intended primarily for the teacher who wishes to use the field trip as an adjunct to the classroom and laboratory, but needs some help with the logistics of planning a field trip. It will also be of specific help if you wish to conduct in-depth studies of ecology, taxonomy, or other scientific specialties.
Continue reading ‘How to Lead a Field Trip’
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An asterism is a distinctive pattern of stars lying within a constellation — or, in some cases, one made up of stars from two or more adjoining constellations. Undoubtedly the best-known and most easily recognized of all such grouping is the Big Dipper in the constellation of Ursa Major.
Contrary to popular belief, the Big Dipper is not a constellation itself, but rather an “asterism” or distinctive figure within a constellation — in its case, Ursa Major, the Great Bear of the heavens. And as such, it’s surely the most famous asterism in the entire sky! Perhaps you have one of those neat rotating star charts, like the Edmund Scientifics’ Star and Planet Locator (which has just been revised and printed on heavier stock than the original one). By turning the chart, you’ll see how the Big Dipper wheels around the north pole of the sky and that it’s at its highest in the heavens in spring — during the evening hours of April (and also May).
Continue reading ‘The Big Dipper Asterism’
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In general, pipets are used to measure and transport very precise volumes of liquids between containers or solutions. The term micropipet is used to describe a pipette that is used to work with very small volumes, less than 1000 ul (1 ml). Research assistants, scientists, and medical laboratory workers are just some of the professionals that utilize pipets in their laboratories.
There are almost countless makes and models of micropipets. Some of the functional features that may differ between models include volume range, incremental units, mode of operation (electronic or mechanical), autoclavability, and various ergonomic design features. To choose a model that is best for your laboratory and the proposed activity it is important to consider these features.
Continue reading ‘Proper Use and Features of Micropipets’
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ScholAR Chemistry has provided a useful reference guide for school laboratories. Information in the guide includes:
- cleaning and sterilizing glassware
- cleaning microscopes
- pH Defined
- making a buffering solution
- preparing molar & normal solutions
- dilution table for liquids
- useful reagents
- common preservatives and fixatives
- general stains
- Centigrade - Fahrenheit conversions
- Mohs’ Scale of Hardness
- weight, length and volume conversions
- table of atomic symbols, numbers and weights
Most of the reference material is included below for quick, easy access. However, conversion charts and other large tables are available in the PDF file linked below:
Ward’s ScholAR Lab Reference Guide (PDF, 60 kb)
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