Investigating invertebrates
Investigating invertebrates
Science and Technology
About this program
There are a lot of different invertebrates out there. In this program we go and look for them: in the forest and in the river. Students examine a variety of invertebrates to understand their unique features and the important role they play in their chosen environments. They also perform an investigation to collect data about invertebrates and their environments.
Activities
Camouflage: The first activity is to find as many stick “insects” as possible within the playground. Through this activity students present their findings about which colours make the best camouflage in a column graph.
Conduct an Investigation: We have a number of fair tests that we can set up to gain greater understanding of invertebrates and their environments. If it’s Spring, we can look at what flowers attract the most pollinators. We also have a fair test about where ants live and what they like to eat.
Microscopes: Students look at invertebrates in resin and describe to their classmates the observable features. They then look at real invertebrates under a microscope to see if they can see any other features of invertebrates.
Woodland Invertebrates: On a bushwalk through the woodland, students discover a variety of invertebrates, where they like to live in the environment and the jobs they do.
Waterbug Survey: Students head off to the river with buckets, dipnets and viewing trays. They find an assortment of waterbugs in the river and sort them into an Invertebrate Zoo based on their observable features.
Science meets Art: Following a scaffolded lesson about the features of one of the waterbugs from the river, students create an artwork.
Important information
* Measures and describes changes in living things, materials, movement, Earth and the sky ST1-SCI-01
* Poses questions based on observations and information to investigate cause and effect ST1-PQU-01
* Collects, represents and uses data to identify patterns and relationships ST1-DAT-01
Investigations of changes provide knowledge and understanding
* Recognise that data can be collected through observation, testing and research, and that it can be represented as descriptions, diagrams, graphs, images and tables
* Collect data about the variety of living things in a local habitat, group them and justify the groupings
Science and Technology K-6 Syllabus © NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) for and on behalf of the Crown in right of the State of New South Wales, 2024
| 10.00am | Activity 1: Camouflage - Find my stick insects! |
| 10.20am | Activity 2: Plan and conduct an investigation about invertebrates |
| 10.45am | Activity 3: Woodland invertebrates - where do they live and what do they do. |
| 11.00am | Morning Tea |
| 11.20am | Activity 4: Collect and analyse data from the investigation |
| 11.55am | Activity 5: Using microscopes |
| 12.30pm | Lunch |
| 1.00pm | Activity 6: Dipnetting invertebrates at the river |
| 1.45pm | Activity 7: Science meets Art - drawing an insect |
| 2.20pm | Program ends |
| What to bring |
Students
Teachers
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| Extreme or wet weather |
Program may be modified, postponed or cancelled due to predicted extreme temperatures, bush fire danger, heavy rainfall, high winds or dust storms. Check the weather forecast for the Armidale area. |
| Medical notifications | Notify us by completing and returning the student welfare form at least one week before the excursion. This form will be sent out upon confirmation of booking. |
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