One-off projects KS1-2

Short of time? Get involved anyway with a one-off biodiversity project.

For help choosing or getting started, just email us!

Visit TES to download our KS1-2 project pack containing all projects here.

Birds

Moths & Butterflies

Check whether birds have a favourite food colour Time of year: Any time Time to complete: Place food in the morning, check later in the day (1 hour) Equipment: FSC bird identification chart, food colouring, dough, bird table, scales Curriculum links: identify birds, data recording and presentation, taking measurements, changing environments, using classification keys, increasing vocabulary, writing skills, numeracy, computer skills

Set out a light box or make sugar ropes to attract moths Record the species, measure the temperature and record the date Time of year: Any time (summer term best) Time to complete: One hour to make sugar ropes, set up overnight, one hour to identify species next day Equipment: light box OR sugar, cola, treacle, wood for frame, and string; thermometer, magnifying glass, small clear containers for holding insects, identification guide Curriculum links: use of everyday materials, data recording and presentation, taking measurements, using classification keys, increasing vocabulary, writing skills, numeracy, scientific units, computer skills

Mammals

Pondlife

Record species of mammals in an area of your grounds using camera trap or animal prints Time of year: Any time Time to complete: Trap placed one evening, one hour next day to identify species Equipment: Camera trap OR clay and metal tray, identification guides Curriculum links: identify mammals, identify carnivores and herbivores, habitats, food chains, data recording and presentation, animal nutrition, increasing vocabulary, writing skills, numeracy, computer skills

Measure the temperature and record the date Pond dip to discover which insect species live in the pond Time of year: Any time (late winter term/early summer term best) Time to complete: 1-2 hours Equipment: thermometer, nets, small bucket, magnifying glass, teaspoons, FSC identification sheets Curriculum links: structure of common animals, change over seasons, habitats, data recording and presentation, food chains, taking measurements, changing environments, using classification keys, increasing vocabulary, writing skills, numeracy, scientific units, computer skills

Trees

Survey the trees in your grounds to find out which species you have and what is living on them Time of year: Any time Time to complete: Around 1 hour Equipment: Measuring tape, OPAL tree identification guide, paper, wax crayons, pencils Curriculum links: trees, data recording and presentation, change over seasons, habitats, using classification keys, increasing vocabulary, writing skills, numeracy

None of these for you? Go back to the project finder to look for something a bit different.