Safety in Numbers: Are Animals Safer in a Group or Alone?
Sim Lesson
Students use the Safety in Numbers simulation to compare a herd that stays together with animals that are alone, gathering evidence that grouping helps animals survive. Lesson Purpose Students may think a single animal is just as safe on its own. Comparing group and alone shows that group behavior can help animals avoid predators.
Many animals, like fish, birds, and deer, live and move in groups. Does staying in a group actually help keep an animal safe from predators? In this lesson, you will use the Safety in Numbers simulation to release animals near predators, in a group and alone, and compare what happens.
Topics and standards: Science, Biology, Environmental Science, Life Science, Simulation, Ecosystems, Ecosystem Relationships, Grades 3-5, 3-LS2-1, TEKS Science 2.13.C, 3.1.3.B