Sticklers

Play a simulation game exploring concepts of habitat and distribution, then discover where real organisms live and how they are distributed.

Group Size: This activity is suitable for both small and large groups.

Suggested Age: 10 and up

Time: Plan on forty to sixty minutes for the activity.

Consider…
Site: Choose a grassy area, field, or other fairly open area. For every ten participants, you will need about forty square meters of work area.

Safety: No specific consideration.

Materials/Prep: For the group: 1 box of flat toothpicks or 100 – 200 popsicle sticks or 100 – 200 beans, 1 data board, 1 large felt-tip marker, 1 fine-tip marking pen for every four participants (for three different distribution patterns, make sure you provide three different colors of pens.) 
Optional, for each participant: 1 map board (large blank index card or a cardboard square, 20cm x 20cm covered with paper), 1 pencil.

Focus questions: 
What habitat and distribution pattern do the sticklers have? What habitat and distribution pattern do some of the actual organisms at the study site have?

• A habitat is the place where an organism lives.
• Distribution: the way organisms are spaced or spread out in an area.
• There are three basic types of distribution patterns: random (irregularly scattered), clumped (bunched in one or more places), and uniform (evenly spaced).
• Many organisms have a preference for a specific habitat and a specific distribution pattern.

Summary:
The kids start this activity by being introduced to the sticklers (popsicle sticks, toothpicks, etc.) and told that the study site is their habitat. They are told to search the site and learn as much about these “organisms” as they can. Where do they live? After the kids collect data about their location, they also examine the distribution of the sticklers.

This is followed by assigning the kids a particular distribution pattern and issuing a challenge for them to find actual organisms at the site that fit that pattern. They are also told to notice what the habitat of that organism is. After the kids have collected the information, they describe the habitat and distribution pattern to the other teams who try to guess the identity of the organism.

Extension Activities:
1. Investigate the habitats and distributions of organisms in other areas. Spiders, isopods, ants, snails, trees, dandelions or other weeds are good organisms to investigate. 
2. Set out sticklers for other groups.
3. Play the Organism Game with your family or friends.