In this activity, students will play the role of a field biologist quantifying and explaining animal behavior using the scientific method (observation – hypothesis – prediction – test). Powerpoint slides contain a series of photos of scavengers at deer carcasses. Students will form hypotheses about the behavioral interactions in the photos, then make predictions that could be used to test their hypothesis. To follow up on their predictions, students will be given data gathered in Oregon and Washington between 2011 and 2017, which will allow them to test whether quantitative observations support their predictions, and help them to better understand scavenger behavior. The exercise allows students to learn core concepts in ecology, including scavenging, competition, mutualism, and social information exchange using self-directed, active learning. It also helps them to better understand how science works by adopting the role of scientists making observations, forming predictions, and testing hypotheses.