Snail Activity - Fun Lesson Plan, Race Snails, Science for Kids

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Fun Snail Activity

Sure, snails appear a little slow but that’s no reason why we can’t race them! Enjoy the great snail race and learn some interesting facts about these unique creatures. This is a great activity to get kids involved so scroll down for the full lesson plan.

Introduction:

Note that this class requires live snails to make it run effectively.
Introduce the topic by saying that today we are going to be looking at snails and we are going to try and find out as much as we can so that it will help us when we go to design the great snail race. The more you understand how snails work the more likely you are to win the race.
Now ask the children what they know about snails. What conditions do you think they would like? How does it move? What do they eat? Bring up the fact that they are hermaphrodites (which means they have both male and female genitilia).
Now tell the children that they are going to be examining the snails.
Thinks they need to find out are: Where are the snail’s eyes? How does a snail eat? How does the snail move? What do you think the snails shells are made out of?
Find out as much information about the snails as you can just from observing them.
Each student needs a magnifying glass, a piece of clear glass, a pencil and a piece of paper for which to record their notes. Also give the children a diagram of the snails from which they can label the body parts.

Further Development & The Great Snail Race:

Come back together and compare the information that the children have discovered.
The children can now choose a snail and make a mark on their snails back, perhaps using their initials. The children can even name their snail if they want.
Place the snails on some black cardboard and observe the trails which are formed. Is the trail straight or crooked? What colour is it etc? Ask them why they think the snails produce that silvery mucus.
They can now put the snails on different surfaces and time how fast the snail moves, whether it works better on smoother surfaces or rockier surfaces. Now get the children to put the snail on a ruler and time how long it takes for the snail to travel the length of the ruler. See if you can convert that into kilometres per hour (or miles per hour).
Using the information that they have gained from observing the snails, it is time to conduct a snail race track. These tracks will be built with a partner bearing in mind all the information they know about snails. When the tracks are completed the children can time how fast they move on the tracks and a competition will be held to see which track is the most snail friendly.
The winning track will host the great snail race which can be hosted according to the design of the track. For example, two snails racing at the same time in a knock out tournament or all snails racing at once.
Hand out prizes to the winners if you like.