Our termite observation began when Makena Mason visited us from University of Hawaii. We created a termite habitat in a jar that contained 120 grams of silica sand, 18 ml water, douglas fir wood and, of course, termites. We observed them for weeks, updating our observations in a journal.
The observations differed a lot from the first to the final one. It began smoothly, the termites settling into their new home, creating tunnels and being very active. The sand was moist from the water we had put it. The second week was similar; the termites continued creating new tunnels and the holes in the wood was becoming prominent. The sand was becoming to look less damp and more dry. Our observations were put on pause during a school break and when we returned, two weeks later, we did one last observation. Initially we thought that the termites had died from a student shaking the jar, but were relieved to see that they were just being very still. Termite activity has greatly decreased. There were many more holes in the wood and in the sand, though the sand had become very parched and had a somewhat crumbly appearance.
This termite unit definitely took up the majority of the quarter, but now we can all say we are well educated on the matter of termites. I enjoyed this unit basically because I enjoy becoming familiar with a specific study and knowing everything I need to know about it. My favorite part of this unit was doing the "Sharing Knowledge" project with Holly and presenting it and realizing how much I have learned. My least favorite part was... I really can't think of anything that I really disliked about this unit. It was a pretty successful, learning wise, unit.
