The Reading / Listening - Beetle Camera - Level 3

Scientists have developed a tiny camera that can be put on the back of a beetle. The camera can record where the bug goes. This will give the scientists a bug's-eye view of the world. The researchers want to use the camera to explore places never seen before. Researcher Vikram Iyer explained why the camera could be useful. He said: "Insects can traverse rocky environments, which is really challenging for robots to do at this scale. So this system can also help us out by letting us see or collect samples from hard-to-navigate spaces." Mr Iyer is excited to see what the cameras record. He said: "This is the first time that we've had a first-person view from the back of a beetle while it's walking around."

The scientists are from the University of Washington in the USA. They wanted to develop a camera light enough for bugs to wear. It weighs just 250 grams*. Their wireless camera records images at up to five frames per second. A researcher said: "We have created a low-power, low-weight, wireless camera system that can capture a first-person view of what's happening from an actual live insect." He said one of the biggest challenges when making the camera was the battery. It had to be very small and very light, with enough power to last a few hours. The researchers stressed that no beetles were hurt in their tests and that all the insects "lived for at least a year" after the experiments finished.

* Error: The camera weighs 250 milligrams and not 250 grams.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Beetle Camera - Level 0,  Beetle Camera - Level 1   or  Beetle Camera - Level 2

Sources
  • https://bgr.com/2020/07/16/coronavirus-spread-at-home-birthday-party-cluster/
  • https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-53445772
  • https://edition.cnn.com/2020/07/15/us/beetle-tiny-cameras-scli-scn-intl/index.html


Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice, drag and drop activities, crosswords, hangman, flash cards, matching activities and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)

Warm-ups

1. BEETLES: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about beetles. Change partners often and share your findings.
2. CHAT: In pairs / groups, talk about these topics or words from the article. What will the article say about them? What can you say about these words and your life?
       tiny / beetle / bug / scientist / camera / environment / robot / system / first time /
       light / wireless / capture / insect / challenge / battery / power / hurt / test / stress
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. NO TESTING: Students A strongly believe we should not use insects in tests; Students B strongly believe it is OK.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. INSECT CAMERA: What would the benefit be of attaching a camera to these insects? What could we see? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

Benefit?

What Would We See?

Beetles

 

 

Spiders

 

 

Worms

 

 

Ants

 

 

Butterflies

 

 

Cockroaches

 

 
MY e-BOOK
ESL resource book with copiable worksheets and handouts - 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers / English teachers
See a sample

5. RECORD: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "record". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. BUGS: Rank these with your partner. Put the best bugs at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • beetles
  • ants
  • bees
  • butterflies
  • worms
  • ladybirds
  • spiders
  • cockroaches

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1. developed a. Travel across or through.
      2. view b. The full range of different levels of people or things, from lowest to highest.
      3. explore c. Created something new.
      4. traverse d. Travel on a desired course after planning a route.
      5. scale e. A sight of something that can be seen by the eye from a particular place.
      6. sample f. Travel in or through an unfamiliar country or area in order to learn about it.
      7. navigate g. A small part or quantity of something to show what the whole thing is like.

    Paragraph 2

      8. weigh h. Not less than.
      9. frame i. Find out how heavy or light someone or something is.
      10. capture j. A single, complete picture in a series forming a movie, television, or video film.
      11. challenge k. A container of cells, in which chemical energy is changed into electricity and used as a source of power.
      12. battery l. A task or situation that tests someone's abilities.
      13. last m. Record in words or pictures.
      14. at least n. Continue to function well or to be in good condition for a set length of time.

 

Before reading / listening

1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if 1-8 below are true (T) or false (F).

  1. The article said the new camera will give a bug's eye view of the world.   T / F
  2. The camera will help scientists see places never seen before.     T / F
  3. The article says tiny robots can get to the same places that beetles can.  T / F
  4. This is the second time we have had a first-person view from a beetle.    T / F
  5. The new camera weighs just 25 grams.     T / F
  6. The new camera can record up to five frames a second.     T / F
  7. The easiest thing about making the camera was designing the battery.    T / F
  8. No beetles were harmed during the camera tests.     T / F

2. SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article.

  1. developed
  2. explore
  3. traverse
  4. challenging
  5. view
  6. wear
  7. images
  8. capture
  9. actual
  10. experiments
  1. cross
  2. catch
  3. perspective
  4. put on
  5. tests
  6. travel through
  7. real
  8. invented
  9. pictures
  10. difficult

3. PHRASE MATCH: (Sometimes more than one choice is possible.)

  1. put on the back
  2. The camera can record
  3. explore places never
  4. Insects can traverse rocky
  5. This is the first time that we've had
  6. a camera light enough
  7. records images at up to five
  8. a low-power, low-weight,
  9. one of the biggest challenges when
  10. The researchers stressed that no beetles
  1. frames per second
  2. seen before
  3. were hurt in their tests
  4. a first-person view
  5. where the bug goes
  6. making the camera
  7. wireless camera system
  8. of a beetle
  9. for bugs to wear
  10. environments

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
places
samples
record
while
view
excited
developed
rocky

Scientists have (1) _____________________ a tiny camera that can be put on the back of a beetle. The camera can (2) _____________________ where the bug goes. This will give the scientists a bug's-eye (3) _____________________ of the world. The researchers want to use the camera to explore (4) _____________________ never seen before. Researcher Vikram Iyer explained why the camera could be useful. He said: "Insects can traverse (5) _____________________ environments, which is really challenging for robots to do at this scale. So this system can also help us out by letting us see or collect (6) _____________________ from hard-to-navigate spaces." Mr Iyer is (7) _____________________ to see what the cameras record. He said: "This is the first time that we've had a first-person view from the back of a beetle (8) _____________________ it's walking around."

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
power
last
actual
least
bugs
hurt
wireless
battery

The scientists are from the University of Washington in the USA. They wanted to develop a camera light enough for (9) _____________________ to wear. It weighs just 250 grams. Their (10) _____________________ camera records images at up to five frames per second. A researcher said: "We have created a low- (11) _____________________, low-weight, wireless camera system that can capture a first-person view of what's happening from an (12) _____________________ live insect." He said one of the biggest challenges when making the camera was the (13) _____________________. It had to be very small and very light, with enough power to (14) _____________________ a few hours. The researchers stressed that no beetles were (15) _____________________ in their tests and that all the insects "lived for at (16) _____________________ a year" after the experiments finished.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) Scientists have developed a tiny camera that can be put on the ______ beetle
     a.  back of a
     b.  buck of a
     c.  beck of a
     d.  book of a
2)  The researchers want to use the camera to explore places ______
     a.  never scene before
     b.  never screen before
     c.  never seem before
     d.  never seen before
3)  which is really challenging for robots to do ______
     a.  that this scale
     b.  what this scale
     c.  at this scale
     d.  fact this scale
4)  So this system can also help us out by letting us see ______
     a.  or collection samples
     b.  nor collect samples
     c.  or collect samples
     d.  or collects samples
5)  This is the first time that we've had a ______
     a.  fist-person view
     b.  first-people view
     c.  first-person views
     d.  first-person view

6)  They wanted to develop a camera light enough for ______
     a.  bugs to wearing
     b.  bugs to wear
     c.  bugs to wears
     d.  bugs to where
7) Their wireless camera records images at up to five ______
     a.  flames per second
     b.  frame spear second
     c.  flames spare second
     d.  frames per second
8)  of what's happening from an ______
     a.  actual alive insect
     b.  actual life insect
     c.  actual live insect
     d.  actual liver insect
9)  He said one of the biggest challenges when making the camera ______
     a.  was the buttery
     b.  was the battery
     c.  was the bettering
     d.  was the battering
10)  The researchers stressed that no beetles were hurt ______
     a.  in their tastes
     b.  in their tees
     c.  in their trysts
     d.  in their tests

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

Scientists have (1) ____________________ camera that can be put on the back of a beetle. The camera (2) ____________________ the bug goes. This will give the scientists a bug's-eye view of the world. The researchers want to use the camera to explore places (3) ____________________. Researcher Vikram Iyer explained why the camera could be useful. He said: "Insects can traverse rocky environments, which (4) ____________________ for robots to do at this scale. So this system can also help us out by letting us see or (5) ____________________ hard-to-navigate spaces." Mr Iyer is excited to see what the cameras record. He said: "This is the first time that we've had a first-(6) ____________________ the back of a beetle while it's walking around."

The scientists are from the University of Washington in the USA. They wanted to (7) ____________________ light enough for bugs to wear. It weighs just 250 grams. Their wireless camera (8) ____________________ up to five frames per second. A researcher said: "We have created a low-power, low-weight, wireless camera system (9) ____________________ a first-person view of what's happening from an actual live insect." He said one of the (10) ____________________ making the camera was the battery. It had to be very small and very light, with enough (11) ____________________ a few hours. The researchers stressed that no beetles were hurt in their tests and that all the insects "lived for at (12) ____________________" after the experiments finished.

Comprehension questions

  1. Where did the article say the camera can record?
  2. What places do researchers want to explore?
  3. What kind of environments did a researcher say insects can traverse?
  4. What did the researcher say insects could collect?
  5. What kind of view did the researcher say we would have?
  6. Where are the scientists from?
  7. How much does the camera weigh?
  8. How many frames per second can the camera record?
  9. What was the biggest challenge regarding the camera?
  10. For how long did the beetles live after the experiments finished?

Multiple choice quiz

1) Where did the article say the camera can record?
a) anything
b) where the bug goes
c) inside drains
d) on the Moon
2) What places do researchers want to explore?
a) dirty places
b) interesting places
c) under beds and closets
d) places never seen before
3) What kind of environments did a researcher say insects can traverse?
a) small environments
b) crossings
c) rocky environments
d) wires
4) What did the researcher say insects could collect?
a) samples
b) photos
c) food
d) other insects
5) What kind of view did the researcher say we would have?
a) a fantastic view
b) a first-person view
c) a terrible view
d) a sea view

6) Where are the scientists from?
a) the University of Washington
b) the University of Nebraska
c) the University of Utah
d) the University of Oregon
7) How much does the camera weigh?
a) 2.5 kilograms
b) 2,550 grams
c) 250 grams
d) 25 grams
8) How many frames per second can the camera record?
a) 5
b) 8
c) 10
d) 20
9) What was the biggest challenge regarding the camera?
a) seeing in the dark
b) the pixels
c) shaking
d) making the battery
10) For how long did the beetles live after the experiments finished?
a) weeks and weeks
b) a few months
c) at least a year
d) about 27 years

Role play

Role  A – Beetles
You think beetles are the best insects. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their insects. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): ants, worms or spiders.

Role  B – Ants
You think ants are the best insects. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their insects. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): beetles, worms or spiders.

Role  C – Worms
You think worms are the best insects. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their insects. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): ants, beetles or spiders.

Role  D – Spiders
You think spiders are the best insects. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their insects. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): ants, worms or beetles.

After reading / listening

1. WORD SEARCH: Look in your dictionary / computer to find collocates, other meanings, information, synonyms … for the words...

'beetle'

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________

    • and 'camera'.

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________

    • • Share your findings with your partners.

    • Make questions using the words you found.

    • Ask your partner / group your questions.

    2. ARTICLE QUESTIONS: Look back at the article and write down some questions you would like to ask the class about the text.

    •Share your questions with other classmates / groups. •Ask your partner / group your questions.

    3. GAP FILL: In pairs / groups, compare your answers to this exercise. Check your answers. Talk about the words from the activity. Were they new, interesting, worth learning…?

    4. VOCABULARY: Circle any words you do not understand. In groups, pool unknown words and use dictionaries to find their meanings.

    5. TEST EACH OTHER: Look at the words below. With your partner, try to recall how they were used in the text:

    • tiny
    • explore
    • useful
    • really
    • collect
    • back
    • wear
    • 250
    • low
    • actual
    • last
    • least

    Student survey

    Write five GOOD questions about this topic in the table. Do this in pairs. Each student must write the questions on his / her own paper. When you have finished, interview other students. Write down their answers.

    (Please look at page 12 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

    Discussion - Beetle Camera

    STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

    1. What did you think when you read the headline?
    2. What images are in your mind when you hear the word 'beetle'?
    3. What do you think of beetles?
    4. How useful are beetles?
    5. What beetles do you like and dislike?
    6. What do you think the camera will record?
    7. What is a bug's eye view of the world?
    8. What places would you like to see that you've never seen before?
    9. What other insects could cameras be put on?
    10. Would you like to see a camera travel inside your body?

    STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

    1. Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
    2. What do you think of when you hear the word 'camera'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. Would you like to wear a tiny camera?
    5. Would you like to work as a beetle researcher?
    6. How might this technology help beetles?
    7. How might this technology help humans?
    8. Is it ethical to do use beetles in experiments?
    9. What would people see every day if you wore a camera?
    10. What questions would you like to ask the researchers?

    Discussion — Write your own questions

    STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

    (a) ________________

    (b) ________________

    (c) ________________

    (d) ________________

    (e) ________________

    STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

    (f) ________________

    (g) ________________

    (h) ________________

    (i) ________________

    (j) ________________

    Language — Cloze (Gap-fill)

    Scientists have developed a (1) ____ camera that can be put on the back of a beetle. The camera can record where the bug (2) ____. This will give the scientists a bug's-eye view of the world. The researchers want to use the camera to explore places never seen before. Researcher Vikram Iyer explained why the camera could (3) ____ useful. He said: "Insects can traverse rocky environments, which is really challenging for robots to do at this (4) ____. So this system can also help us out by letting us see or (5) ____ samples from hard-to-navigate spaces." Mr Iyer is excited to see what the cameras record. He said: "This is the first time that we've had a first-person (6) ____ from the back of a beetle while it's walking around."

    The scientists are from the University of Washington in the USA. They wanted to develop a camera light (7) ____ for bugs to wear. It weighs just 250 grams. Their wireless camera records images at up to five (8) ____ per second. A researcher said: "We have created a low-power, low-weight, wireless camera system that can capture a first-person view of what's happening from an (9) ____ live insect." He said one of (10) ____ biggest challenges when making the camera was the battery. It had to be very small and very light, with enough power to last a few hours. The researchers stressed that no beetles were (11) ____ in their tests and that all the insects "lived for at (12) ____ a year" after the experiments finished.

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     tinny     (b)     tiny     (c)     tin     (d)     tint    
    2. (a)     does     (b)     goes     (c)     hoes     (d)     foes    
    3. (a)     being     (b)     been     (c)     was     (d)     be    
    4. (a)     ratio     (b)     scale     (c)     locale     (d)     pixel    
    5. (a)     collate     (b)     collect     (c)     recollect     (d)     collection    
    6. (a)     watch     (b)     see     (c)     view     (d)     stare    
    7. (a)     plenty     (b)     sample     (c)     enough     (d)     state    
    8. (a)     pictures     (b)     sketches     (c)     frames     (d)     cameras    
    9. (a)     element     (b)     entire     (c)     exist     (d)     actual    
    10. (a)     the     (b)     a     (c)     by     (d)     some    
    11. (a)     hurt     (b)     harm     (c)     injure     (d)     damage    
    12. (a)     last     (b)     lost     (c)     least     (d)     lest

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. Scientists have eepdldoev a tiny camera
    2. a s'gbu-yee view of the world
    3. use the camera to opelxre places
    4. this eytsms can also help us
    5. collect lempssa
    6. hard-to-eaviantg spaces

    Paragraph 2

    1. records iegasm at up to five frames per second
    2. reaucpt a first-person view
    3. from an alutac live insect
    4. one of the biggest ncaeshlelg
    5. uhogne power to last a few hours
    6. after the eexrmepisnt finished

    Put the text back together

    (...)  why the camera could be useful. He said: "Insects can traverse rocky environments, which is really
    (...)  challenging for robots to do at this scale. So this system can also help us out by letting us see or collect
    (...)  samples from hard-to-navigate spaces." Mr Iyer is excited to see what the cameras record. He said: "This
    (...)  use the camera to explore places never seen before. Researcher Vikram Iyer explained
    (...)  The scientists are from the University of Washington in the USA. They wanted to develop a camera light
    (...)  light, with enough power to last a few hours. The researchers stressed that no beetles were hurt in their tests
    (...)  challenges when making the camera was the battery. It had to be very small and very
    (  1  ) Scientists have developed a tiny camera that can be put on the back of a beetle. The camera can
    (...)  system that can capture a first-person view of what's happening from an actual live insect." He said one of the biggest
    (...)  is the first time that we've had a first-person view from the back of a beetle while it's walking around."
    (...)  record where the bug goes. This will give the scientists a bug's-eye view of the world. The researchers want to
    (...)  enough for bugs to wear. It weighs just 250 grams. Their wireless camera records images at up
    (...)  to five frames per second. A researcher said: "We have created a low-power, low-weight, wireless camera
    (...)  and that all the insects "lived for at least a year" after the experiments finished.

    Put the words in the right order

    1. the   bug   record   where   The   can   goes   .   camera
    2. will   scientists   bug's-eye   give   a   view   .   This   the
    3. never   the   to   places   seen   .   camera   Use   explore
    4. for   do   Challenging   at   scale   .   robots   this   to
    5. what   record   .   cameras   to   He's   excited   see   the
    6. a   wanted   to   develop   They   camera   enough   .   light
    7. five   second   .   frames   up   at   to   per   Records
    8. of   what's   a   view   happening   .   Capture   first-person
    9. to   a   hours   .   With   power   last   few   enough
    10. lived   least   year   .   insects   a   All   for   at

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    Scientists have developed a tiny / tinny camera that can be put on the back of a beetle. The camera can record where the bug going / goes. This will give the scientists a bug's-eye view / watch of the world. The researchers want to use the camera to explore places / place never seen before. Researcher Vikram Iyer explanation / explained why the camera could be useful. He said: "Insects can reverse / traverse rocky environments, which is really challenging for robots to do / be at this scale. So this system can also help us in / out by letting us see or collect samples from hard-to-navigate spaces." Mr Iyer is excited / excitement to see what the cameras record. He said: "This is the first time that we've had a first-person view from the back of a Beatle / beetle while it's walking around."

    The scientists / sciences are from the University of Washington in the USA. They wanted to develop a camera light plenty / enough for bugs to wear. It weighs just 250 grams. Their wireless camera records images to / at up to five frames per / pre second. A researcher said: "We have created a low-power, low-weight, wireless camera system that can rupture / capture a first-person view of what's happening / happen from an actual live insect." He said one of the biggest challenge / challenges when making the camera was the battery. It had to be very small and very light, with enough power to last / past a few hours. The researchers stressed that no beetles were hurt / harm in their tests and that all the insects "lived for at last / least a year" after the experiments finished.

    Talk about the connection between each pair of words in italics, and why the correct word is correct.

    Insert the vowels (a, e, i, o, u)

    S c__ n t_s t s h_v_ d_v_l_p_d _ t_n y c_m_r_ t h_t c_n b_ p_t _n t h_ b_c k _f _ b__ t l_. T h_ c_m_r_ c_n r_c_r d w h_r_ t h_ b_g g__ s . T h_s w_l l g_v_ t h_ s c__ n t_s t s _ b_g ' s -_y_ v__ w _f t h_ w_r l d . T h_ r_s__ r c h_r s w_n t t_ _s_ t h_ c_m_r_ t_ _x p l_r_ p l_c_s n_v_r s__ n b_f_r_. R_s__ r c h_r V_k r_m I y_r _x p l__ n_d w h y t h_ c_m_r_ c__ l d b_ _s_f_l . H_ s__ d : " I n s_c t s c_n t r_v_r s_ r_c k y _n v_r_n m_n t s , w h_c h _s r__ l l y c h_l l_n g_n g f_r r_b_t s t_ d_ _t t h_s s c_l_. S_ t h_s s y s t_m c_n _l s_ h_l p _s __ t b y l_t t_n g _s s__ _r c_l l_c t s_m p l_s f r_m h_r d - t_- n_v_g_t_ s p_c_s . " M r I y_r _s _x c_t_d t_ s__ w h_t t h_ c_m_r_s r_c_r d . H_ s__ d : " T h_s _s t h_ f_r s t t_m_ t h_t w_' v_ h_d _ f_r s t - p_r s_n v__ w f r_m t h_ b_c k _f _ b__ t l_ w h_l_ _t ' s w_l k_n g _r__ n d . "

    T h_ s c__ n t_s t s _r_ f r_m t h_ U n_v_r s_t y _f W_s h_n g t_n _n t h_ U S A . T h_y w_n t_d t_ d_v_l_p _ c_m_r_ l_g h t _n__ g h f_r b_g s t_ w__ r . I t w__ g h s j_s t 2 5 0 g r_m s . T h__ r w_r_l_s s c_m_r_ r_c_r d s _m_g_s _t _p t_ f_v_ f r_m_s p_r s_c_n d . A r_s__ r c h_r s__ d : " W_ h_v_ c r__ t_d _ l_w - p_w_r , l_w - w__ g h t , w_r_l_s s c_m_r_ s y s t_m t h_t c_n c_p t_r_ _ f_r s t - p_r s_n v__ w _f w h_t ' s h_p p_n_n g f r_m _n _c t__ l l_v_ _n s_c t . " H_ s__ d _n_ _f t h_ b_g g_s t c h_l l_n g_s w h_n m_k_n g t h_ c_m_r_ w_s t h_ b_t t_r y . I t h_d t_ b_ v_r y s m_l l _n d v_r y l_g h t , w_t h _n__ g h p_w_r t_ l_s t _ f_w h__ r s . T h_ r_s__ r c h_r s s t r_s s_d t h_t n_ b__ t l_s w_r_ h_r t _n t h__ r t_s t s _n d t h_t _l l t h_ _n s_c t s " l_v_d f_r _t l__ s t _ y__ r " _f t_r t h_ _x p_r_m_n t s f_n_s h_d .

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    scientists have developed a tiny camera that can be put on the back of a beetle the camera can record where the bug goes this will give the scientists a bugseye view of the world the researchers want to use the camera to explore places never seen before researcher vikram iyer explained why the camera could be useful he said insects can traverse rocky environments which is really challenging for robots to do at this scale so this system can also help us out by letting us see or collect samples from hardtonavigate spaces mr iyer is excited to see what the cameras record he said this is the first time that weve had a firstperson view from the back of a beetle while its walking around

    the scientists are from the university of washington in the usa they wanted to develop a camera light enough for bugs to wear it weighs just 250 grams their wireless camera records images at up to five frames per second a researcher said we have created a lowpower lowweight wireless camera system that can capture a firstperson view of whats happening from an actual live insect he said one of the biggest challenges when making the camera was the battery it had to be very small and very light with enough power to last a few hours the researchers stressed that no beetles were hurt in their tests and that all the insects lived for at least a year after the experiments finished

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    Scientistshavedevelopedatinycamerathatcanbeputonthebackofabe
    etle.Thecameracanrecordwherethebuggoes.Thiswillgivethescientis
    tsabug's-eyeviewoftheworld.Theresearcherswanttousethecamerat
    oexploreplacesneverseenbefore.ResearcherVikramIyerexplainedw
    hythecameracouldbeuseful.Hesaid:"Insectscantraverserockyenvir
    onments,whichisreallychallengingforrobotstodoatthisscale.Sothiss
    ystemcanalsohelpusoutbylettingusseeorcollectsamplesfromhard-
    tonavigatespaces."MrIyerisexcitedtoseewhatthecamerasrecord.He
    said:"Thisisthefirsttimethatwe'vehadafirst-personviewfromtheba
    ckofabeetlewhileit'swalkingaround."ThescientistsarefromtheUniver
    sityofWashingtonintheUSA.Theywantedtodevelopacameralighteno
    ughforbugstowear.Itweighsjust250grams.Theirwirelesscamerarec
    ordsimagesatuptofiveframespersecond.Aresearchersaid:"Wehavec
    reatedalow-power,low-weight,wirelesscamerasystemthatcancaptu
    reafirst-personviewofwhat'shappeningfromanactualliveinsect."Hes
    aidoneofthebiggestchallengeswhenmakingthecamerawasthebatter
    y.Ithadtobeverysmallandverylight,withenoughpowertolastafewhou
    rs.Theresearchersstressedthatnobeetleswerehurtintheirtestsandth
    atalltheinsects"livedforatleastayear"aftertheexperimentsfinished.

    Free writing

    Write about beetle camera for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

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    Academic writing

    Having a bug's-eye view of the world is important for us. Discuss.

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    Homework

    1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words from the text. Use a dictionary or Google's search field (or another search engine) to build up more associations / collocations of each word.
    2. INTERNET: Search the Internet and find out more about this news story. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.
    3. BEETLES: Make a poster about beetles. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. BUG CAMERAS: Write a magazine article about banning bug cameras because they harm insects. Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against this.
    Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Write down any new words and expressions you hear from your partner(s).
    5. WHAT HAPPENED NEXT? Write a newspaper article about the next stage in this news story. Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Give each other feedback on your articles.
    6. LETTER: Write a letter to an expert on beetles. Ask him/her three questions about them. Give him/her three of your ideas about what we can learn from beetles. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

    A Few Additional Activities for Students

    Ask your students what they have read, seen or heard about this news in their own language. Students are likely to / may have have encountered this news in their L1 and therefore bring a background knowledge to the classroom.

    Get students to role play different characters from this news story.

    Ask students to keep track of this news and revisit it to discuss in your next class.

    Ask students to male predictions of how this news might develop in the next few days or weeks, and then revisit and discuss in a future class.

    Ask students to write a follow-up story to this news.

    Students role play a journalist and someone who witnessed or was a part of this news. Perhaps they could make a video of the interview.

    Ask students to keep a news journal in English and add this story to their thoughts.

    Also...

    Buy my 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers eBook. It has hundreds of ideas, activity templates, reproducible activities for:

    • News
    • Warm ups
    • Pre-reading / Post-reading
    • Using headlines
    • Working with words
    • While-reading / While-listening
    • Moving from text to speech
    • Post-reading / Post-listening
    • Discussions
    • Using opinions
    • Plans
    • Language
    • Using lists
    • Using quotes
    • Task-based activities
    • Role plays
    • Using the central characters in the article
    • Using themes from the news
    • Homework

    Buy my book

    $US 9.99

    Answers

    (Please look at page 26 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

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