Objective

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to understand how calculus concepts can be applied to study and analyze animal behaviors and movements.

Materials and Prep

You will need a notebook, pencil, and a curious mind! Before the lesson, it would be helpful to have a basic understanding of algebra and geometry.

Activities

• Explore the concept of rate of change by observing the speed of different animals in motion. Measure the distance covered by a running dog in a specific time and calculate its average speed.

• Investigate the concept of accumulation by studying the growth patterns of animal populations. Research how calculus is used to model and predict changes in population sizes over time.

• Examine the concept of optimization by analyzing the behavior of animals in their natural habitats. Discuss how calculus can be used to find the most efficient paths for animals to travel or the optimal foraging strategies.

Eighth Grade Talking Points

• Calculus helps us understand how things change over time. For example, we can use it to study how the population of a species of animals grows or declines. It's like predicting the future of a species!
• When we talk about the speed of an animal, we can use calculus to figure out how fast it's going at any given moment. It's like a superpower that lets us understand the motion of animals in a whole new way!
• Imagine a bird trying to find the best route to its nest or a predator trying to catch its prey. Calculus helps us find the most efficient paths and strategies that animals use in their daily lives. It's like peeking into their world!