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Life science · Grades 6–8

Y-Maze Choices

Do repeated choices show a preference for the shaded arm of a Y-maze?

The lesson

What students do

Scientists repeat observations to look for patterns in behavior. Compare choices between a shaded arm and a lit arm.

  1. Mark one arm as shaded and one as lit.
  2. Record each choice without changing the maze between tests.
  3. Group ten choices into one block.
  4. Compare the percentage of shaded-arm choices across four blocks.

For teachers

Standards connections

This short investigation supports parts of these standards. It does not cover the full standard by itself.

MS-LS1-8Use behavior results to begin a discussion of how organisms respond to light.

PracticeAnalyze and interpret data.

Big ideaPatterns

Included results

Where the results came from

Made-up classroom results; no live animals were used

These results are not from animals, students, or a published study.

Science source: NGSS Appendix F: Science and Engineering Practices

Included

Ready for one class period.

Student instructions Included results Chart choices and calculations Teacher notes and review guide

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