Choice Chamber Experiment for Curious Young Scientists 

The Insect Choice Chamber Experiment is a great activity to spark curiosity in students who are fascinated by insects. 

Is your student an insect enthusiast? Do their eyes light up when they see butterflies, spiders, or crickets? If so, you may have yourself a young entomologist. An entomologist is someone who studies insects.   

Studying insects when students are young allows them to become fascinated with insects. At this time in their lives, students are naturally curious, open-minded, and excited to learn about nature. Through choice chamber experiments and observing insects in their natural habitats, your students can develop scientific thinking and observational skills. In addition, they will build patience and sharpen their attention to detail as well as nurture a respect for all living creatures.   

You can encourage your student’s interest in insects by studying them with a choice chamber. A choice chamber is a tool used to study the decisions animals make. It is a box split into two sections, where researchers observe animal behavior.   

There are a variety of behaviors and preferences that can be studied with a choice chamber, including:   

• Diet  
• Temperature  
• Light  
• Moisture  

Selecting Your Insects

Before starting a choice chamber experiment with your student, have them brainstorm what they want to learn about insects in their area. Then, make sure that the insects they want to study are available to them. This can be done by collecting them in nature or purchasing them from a local pet or feed store. 

What You Need: 

• Choice chamber  
• Insect habitat   
• Insect net  
• Insect forceps   
• Insects  
• Magnifying glass   
• Materials for testing an insect’s behavior or choice  

Instructions: 

1. Briefly describe the insect behavior or preference you want to test. Note: You will only give the insects two options to choose from.   
2. Then, predict what you think the insects will choose. Predict means what you think will happen.  
3. Capture insects using the insect net (or your hands when it is safe) and collect them in the insect habitat.   
4. Set up the choice chamber with the options you described in Step 1.   
5. Use forceps to transfer insects from the insect habitat to the neck (center) of the choice chamber.  
6. Observe the insect’s behavior for at least one hour. Use the magnifying glass to help you see them close up in detail.  
7. Record your observations and reflect on your prediction. Answer these questions:  
   • What did the insects do first when placed in the choice chamber? 
   • Which section of the choice chamber did the insects spend the most time in?  
   • Did different types of insects make different choices?  
8. Finally, return the insect to its habitat or nature after completing your experiment.  

Take Your Choice Chamber Experiment Further

If you want to take this experiment one step further, have your students think about what more they would like to learn about insect behavior. You can also expand on this lab with our Entomologist’s Backpack Kit, where your student can study entomology like a professional. With the Entomologist’s Backpack Kit, your student will practice different insect collection methods, observe insect behavior, and practice insect spreading, pinning, mounting, and labeling.