It may surprise you to know that there is not always one “right” way to classify things. For example, stars may be grouped based on their size, on their brightness or on where they are located. Below, there is a picture of a group of shells. Think of and the write down at least four different ways of dividing the shells into groups. Below the photograph an example has been done for you.
Record your groups in a table like the one below.
| Groups |
Explanation |
| Pointed end |
Shells that have a point are grouped together and shells which do not have a point are grouped together. |
| 1. |
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| 2. |
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| 3. |
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| 4. |
Analysis:
- Compare your groups with the groups your friends have created. Did you have at least one group which was the same as a friend's grouping?
- How many different groups do you think can be created using only the shells in the photograph?
- With the ability to divide things into so many groups of two, how do you think scientists determine which groups to put living things into?
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| Review science lab safety rules here.
Get the plug-ins: Want to share a photograph of you or your friends doing this activity? Send the photograph attached to an e-mail with the following information: the title of the activity, the URL (Internet address), and your name. Remember that no pictures can be used which show any student faces or has a student name on it. Updated August 11, 2005 by: Glen
Westbroek |
