Outdoors

Cadette Animal Helpers Badge Activity


 

Discover the Power of Animals

You know that we can help animals in need, but did you know that animals help humans too? From dogs who guide the blind to goldfish who detect water pollution, you’ll find out how animals use their five senses to help people. Think like an animal trainer and teach animals to help humans.


Activity Details

Time needed: 45–60 minutes

Materials needed:

  • Pens or markers
  • Chart paper, poster board, or cardboard to draw the comparison chart on
  • Access to information about animal senses and abilities from books, the internet, or an animal expert

Setup:  

Animals have always provided humans with food, clothing, and transportation, but today they’re also trained to help people with disabilities, find people who are lost, and even discover tumors. Scientists work with animals and hope to find new ways to use their special skills to help humans. 

Activity:

Different animals have unique skills and abilities. Rats have an excellent sense of smell. Pigeons possess phenomenal eyesight. Goldfish are experts at detecting water pollution. In this activity, you will learn about and compare the senses and abilities of five animals.

Let’s begin by using pens or markers to create a chart of your findings on a piece of chart paper, poster board, or cardboard.

Then, identify five animals and research their senses and abilities. You can find your answers in books, on the internet, or by asking an animal expert. Jot down what you learned about each animal and compare the animals with humans. Can you think of a way to someday train an animal to use those skills to help people?

For More FUN: share your chart with a Girl Scout sister or friend. Does your fellow Girl Scout or friend have other ideas to add? Has she seen or learned about how animals use their senses or abilities to help humans? And finally, discuss together how we can use our abilities to help animals.

Girl Scouts at Home activities have been adapted from existing Girl Scout programming and optimized for use at home during a period of social distancing.

Adapted from Step 5 of the Cadette Animal Helpers badge. Purchase the Cadette It’s Your Story Badge Activity Set to complete all the requirements and earn the badge.