Noodle for Inquiry

Mollusks serve as bioindicators for freshwater; this article explains how to create a “noodling bin” to allow students to perform a mock sampling activity for mollusks. This inquiry, in whic... See More

Mollusks serve as bioindicators for freshwater; this article explains how to create a “noodling bin” to allow students to perform a mock sampling activity for mollusks. This inquiry, in which students identify shells from various mollusks, teaches students how to calculate the percent abundance of each species of mollusks. Students can also investigate correlations between variables such as shell length and height. The authors give numerous ideas for extensions that teachers can do utilizing nooding bins. Although written for high school, this activity could be easily modified for younger students. This activity blends a simulation of field protocols with inquiry.