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BEGINNING OF
THE END

Educator Information
Video Questions |
Vocab & Discussion | Answers
Content Areas:
Insect behavior, anatomy
and physiology. Genetic mutation caused by radiation.
Grade Levels:
5-8
National Science Standards:
C: Life science,
F: Science in the Personal & Social Perspective,
G: History and Nature of Science
Synopsis:
Radiation causes grasshoppers to mutate, becoming gigantic, and eat
everything in their path as they swarm. The people learn that low temperatures
slow the locusts, and find a sound which attracts the swarm. Sound is used to
lead the insects to their deaths.
Good Science:
Insect anatomy, physiology and behavior is presented factually.
Bad Science:
 | An insect one thousand times its natural size, and therefore 1000 times is
natural weight, would not be able to structurally support itself. |
 | Radiation is said to cause plants to grow and photosynthesize at night, as
well as to cause identical mutations in hundreds of insects. |
Media
Center
Extension:
 | Assist the class with a research presentation on the
interdependence between plants and insects:
In what way do plants depend on insects?
In what way do insects depend on plants? |
 | Assist the class in a reenactment or retelling of Who’s Got
Game?: The Ant or the Grasshopper by Toni Morrison |
 | Identify current and appropriate Web sites to help student
learn about the effect of radiation exposure on humans, animals, and plants,
including research concerning places such as Hiroshima, Chernobyl, and the
Bikini Atoll. |
Web Resources:
As the information
available on the Web is constantly changing we recommend that you search for
new sites that relate to this lesson/film.

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