The Spider and the Web

Ever watched a spider catch its prey? How do they know the difference between food and debris blown into the web? Try this and see if you can figure it out.
Materials:
An occupied garden spiderweb
Tuning fork (or fork with long tines)
Small block of wood
Directions:
Explore your garden or nearby park until you find a web with a spider in it.
Hold the tuning fork by the handle and tap it against the wood block. The fork should hum.
Place one prong of the fork against a strand of the web. What does the spider do?

So did you get any stray webs on your hands, or face? Would you like to inspect the web closely? Try this.
Materials:
Can of clear spray lacquer (available in hardware stores)
8-inch square sheet of stiff black paper
Directions:
Look around your yard or nearby park for a spider web. Touch the center of the web lightly with a leaf to be sure that the weaver is no longer around. Find a web with no spider.
Spray the web with lacquer several times, allowing it to dry between applications.
Spray the web once again. While the web is still wet, hold the black paper up against it and lift the web onto the paper. Gently pull away any support strands.
Spray the web and paper with one more layer of lacquer and allow it to dry.
Follow the same procedure with other webs. Look for different sizes and shapes.

For more science information and ideas see the science fair website: http://www.schoolsciencefair.blogspot.com/. The science fair will be this spring. Anyone interested in helping please contact Amy Oliver via email (amyroliver@gmail.com). No science experience necessary; curiosity and a sense of adventure are preferred