Age groups: 7-14
Keywords: Outdoors, In-school activity, Group-based activity, No materials needed, observation, active, game, adaptations
One-sentence summary of activity:
One student will be selected to be the seeker, the rest of the group will hide in the surrounding area (within 100 footsteps), the seeker will count to 30, giving the rest of the group time to hide, then the seeker will try to spy as many students as possible.
Diagram of activity:
Learning Goals for activity:
- Skill: observational, critical thinking
- Value: relational
- Information: local environment
- Action: interactive activity
Step-by-step instructions for activity:
- Find a space where students can spread out and roam about 100 feet.
- Identify one student as the seeker.
- Explain to the rest of the students that they will have 30 seconds to hide from the seeker as best they can. Set up a boundary so that students do not wander too far and inform them that they must be able to see the seeker from their hiding spot.
- Tell the seeker that they may only take 10 steps in their search.
- Have the seeker begin counting and instruct the rest of the group to find their hiding place.
- Give the seeker 5-7 minutes to find as many peers as possible.
- Bring the group back together to discuss what strategies were helpful or unhelpful in hiding.
- Discuss how animals use the landscape to camouflage themselves.
Ecological concepts involved
- Ecological concept 1: Learning from different perspectives (human vs. wildlife)
- Ecological concept 2: Human interactions with nature
- Ecological concept 3: Local environment
Additional content needed:
Background information on Snow Leopards and their habitat:
https://www.snowleopard.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Snow-Leopard-Fact-Sheet.pdf
https://www.snowleopard.org/snow-leopard-facts/physical-features/
Photos of Snow Leopards using their camouflage:
https://www.snowleopard.org/photos-and-videos/wild-snow-leopard-gallery/
Questions for reflection:
- What helps us blend in (camouflage) with nature?
- Did you notice anything new about the area you were hiding in?
- How do animals camouflage themselves and use camouflage to their advantage?
Educational Activities developed by the University of Vermont’s Environmental Education course, Fall 2020