Which activity would effectively allow 6th graders to demonstrate understanding of owls' nutritional resources?

Dissecting an owl pellet and categorizing the findings offers a hands-on, inquiry-based learning experience that directly engages sixth graders with the subject matter. This activity allows students to interact with real biological materials, fostering critical thinking and analytical skills as they examine the contents of the pellet, which typically includes the remains of the owl’s prey.

By identifying and categorizing bones or other remains, students gain concrete insights into the dietary habits and nutritional resources of owls. This direct manipulation of materials not only reinforces their understanding of food chains and ecosystems but also enhances their observation and classification abilities. Such an experiential learning opportunity is particularly effective for this age group, as it caters to their natural curiosity and desire for exploration in a scientific context.

The other activities, while valuable, may not offer the same level of interactive learning. Creating a poster presentation or writing a report could allow students to summarize their findings or communicate information, but these methods lack the hands-on engagement that dissection provides. Conducting a research project on local wildlife might expand their knowledge of ecosystems, yet it does not focus specifically on the nutritional aspect related to owls, which is the key learning objective.