Batty About Science
Recommended for grades K–5.
Introduction
Bats are not blind, but for most bats, their sense of hearing is better than their sense of sight. Bats use echolocation (a type of sonar that allows them to emit a very loud, high-pitched sound and then interpret the echoes) to locate their prey and capture it.
Bats are not “mice with wings.” They belong to their own group, called chiroptera, which means hand-wing. They are the only mammals that really fly! (Flying squirrels don’t fly; they glide.)
Objectives
In this activity, you will
- You will learn how bats sense their prey by pretending that the Go! Motion is a bat and that you are its prey.
- Discover how this movement is graphically represented.
Sensors and Equipment
This experiment requires each of the following Vernier sensors and equipment (unless otherwise noted):
Additional Requirements
You may also need an interface and software for data collection. What do I need for data collection?
Download Experiment Preview
The student-version preview includes:
- Step-by-step instructions for computer-based data collection
- List of materials and equipment
Note: The experiment preview of the computer edition does not include essential teacher information, safety tips, or sample data. Instructions for Logger Pro and other software (such as LabQuest App or TI handheld software, where available) are on the CD that accompanies the book. We strongly recommend that you purchase the book before performing experiments.
Standards Correlations
See all standards correlations for Elementary Science with Vernier »
Included in the Lab Book
Vernier lab books include a CD with word-processing files of the student instructions, essential teacher information, suggested answers, sample data and graphs, and more.