GoalRun a fair beak test with kitchen tools, record class data, and say which beak suits each food best.
New words
predict · to say what you think will happen before you testfair test · a test where you change one thing and keep the rest the samedata · numbers or facts you collectbest suited · the one that works best for a job
Explanation
A scientist tests an idea with a fair test. We want to know which beak is best for each food. We change only one thing: the tool that works as the beak. We keep everything else the same: the same time (20 seconds), the same amount of food on the same plate, and the same way of picking up with one hand. First we predict. Then each child picks up as much food as possible in 20 seconds, counts, and writes it in a table. The class adds up the results. Then we look at the numbers to find the best-suited beak for each food and the least suited one. The results show that no beak is best at everything. Foods are never tasted, and a grown-up supervises.
Worked examples
Beak tool
Paper clips
Rice
Dry beans
Cotton balls
Spoon
6
12
9
4
Tweezers
7
4
5
9
Clothespin
5
1
10
3
Tongs
2
0
1
5
Class data (example). The number of items picked up in 20 seconds, added for the class.
Best and least suited. Rice: best is the spoon (12), least is the tongs (0). Dry beans: best is the clothespin (10), least is the tongs (1).
Change
Keep the same
Measure
the tool (beak)
20 seconds, same plate, same food amount
how many items are picked up
Fair test: what we change, what we keep the same, what we measure.
Class activity
Beak test with a grown-up. You need a spoon, tweezers, a clothespin, kitchen tongs, and four plates with paper clips, rice, dry beans and cotton balls. Predict which beak will pick up the most of each. Use a timer for 20 seconds, one tool at a time, with one hand. Count what you picked up and write it in a table. Add up the results with friends. Never taste any item, and a grown-up checks that tools are used safely. Wash your hands afterwards.
Practice
1
Look at the class data table. Which tool picked up the most rice, and how many?
Beak tool
Paper clips
Rice
Dry beans
Cotton balls
Spoon
6
12
9
4
Tweezers
7
4
5
9
Clothespin
5
1
10
3
Tongs
2
0
1
5
The spoon picked up 12 grains of rice.
2
Add the spoon row: 6, 12, 9 and 4. What is its total?
6 + 12 + 9 + 4 = 31.
3
Name two things we keep the same in a fair beak test.
For example: the time, the amount and kind of food, and picking up with one hand.
4
Which tool was least suited to cotton balls in the class data, and how many did it pick up?
