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Post by gerrr00 on Sept 26, 2011 17:01:09 GMT -8
*Mods, forgive me if this is in the wrong place, please move it to the appropriate board if needed.
My daughter would like to do a science fair project using our gerbils. I used Google to see if I could find some ideas and came up empty handed. Maybe I am just searching the wrong word combo. But if anyone here has done science fair project or has any good ideas, please, please, please, share them.
Of course we only want humane and safe ideas for our furries. She needs to be able to ask a question, guess what the answer will be, test the question and then tell if her prediction is correct or not.
Thank you in advance for any ideas!
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Post by esztershine on Sept 27, 2011 1:02:31 GMT -8
An idea... Do gerbils learn fast? Your daughter can try something out, like call the Gerbil's name and when it comes to her give the gerbil a treat. Later just call the Gerbil with no treats, it will still come to her (Pavlov reflex). Simple idea, but this can be tested  |
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amski
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Mr G Browsing the forum
Posts: 867
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Post by amski on Sept 27, 2011 1:35:34 GMT -8
How about a maze to see how gerbils memory works?
Build a maze and then put them in it. Put some food at the end and time how long it takes them to complete it. Then see if they can do it faster next time (ie. did they remember the way)
Does it make a difference if the food isn't at the end of the maze? If you clean the maze can they still do it in the same time (ie. are they following their scent or are they remembering where to go)? If one gerbil successfully completes the maze can another now do it quickly because they've got the other's scent to follow?
I'm sure there are lots of other variations you could do with it...
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Post by MoonstoneGerbils on Sept 27, 2011 4:30:28 GMT -8
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Post by RitzieAnn on Sept 27, 2011 6:27:05 GMT -8
I have taken Gerbils to psychology classes before. The class trains them to do a task (climb up cardboard stairs & touch a bell while standing on their back legs) some groups do mazes, one even made an agility type course. Some train with positive reinforcement (food) some with negative (usually blow on them) some by re direction. Another group tried training positive with a noise/treat combo. (Which is a very interesting study about learned behavior & conditioning)
It's fun to watch the kids (high schoolers). I just remove all food the day before so they are hungry in order to "perform"
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sqeakywheel
Member
Alfie,Chico and Chester, rest in peace my sweet babies you're in my thoughts always
Posts: 277
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Post by sqeakywheel on Sept 27, 2011 11:24:26 GMT -8
i read one that in canada they are training gerbils to sniff out drugs in airport... they must be fairly smart!
i think you shoud try the maze!
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catstina
Member
Neljä (RIP) and Viisi
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Post by catstina on Sept 28, 2011 5:59:30 GMT -8
Good luck with the project!
Wow! I didn't realize they were so clever, I'll have to try some of these things with my girls once they settle in!
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Post by cortez1011 on Sept 28, 2011 9:47:22 GMT -8
check out youtube.com and type in something along the lines of gerbil maze... lots of awesome projects kids did with gerbils on there!
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Post by gerrr00 on Sept 28, 2011 17:18:05 GMT -8
Thank you so much for the ideas! I will have her read this thread over and decide. I will also have her check out you-tube. Once she decided I will post to let you know her decision and eventually the how the experiment went. If there are any other ideas, please post still! This forum is awesome! Thank you again. |
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Post by cortez1011 on Sept 28, 2011 17:20:56 GMT -8
Cant wait to hear  Let us all know if you need any help! |
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Let us all know if you need any help!