The Lawrence Hall of Science
The public science center of the University of California, Berkeley.
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Case of the Disappearing Log offers learners an opportunity to investigate logs, trees, forests, and ecosystems through a lens of cause and effect and decomposition. In this activity, learners assume the role of “detectives” faced with a nature mystery. First, learners explore a decomposing log and look for evidence of how the log is changing. They make possible explanations for what might be causing the log to disappear. Learners then learn about organisms and forces that decompose wood and the signature evidence that is left behind. Learners use a Disappearing Log Key to identify which organisms might have left behind which evidence and use this information to make explanations about what has happened to the log since it was a tree. Finally, the instructor offers the idea that the log isn’t really disappearing but is actually turning into the invisible gases that are part of the cycling of matter in all ecosystems.
We want to acknowledge Justice Outside for reviewing this session and supporting us to develop more equitable, inclusive, and culturally relevant instructional materials.
Note: This video was edited to focus on how the instructor leads the activity; the actual activity is much more student-focused, and students spend most of the activity exploring and discussing ideas with their peers. We revised this activity in 2021, well after the making of this video. Please follow the written student activity in the case of discrepancies.
Case Of The Disappearing Log PDF