One-off projects KS3-5

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 KS3-5 project pack containing all projects here.

Pondlife

Moths & Butterflies

Measure the temperature and record the date Pond dip to discover which species live in the pond Time of year: Any time (late winter term or early summer term best) Time to complete: 1-2 hours Equipment: thermometer, nets, small bucket, magnifying glass, teaspoons, FSC identification charts Curriculum links: sampling techniques, data manipulation and handling, data presentation, scientific attitudes and experimental skills, ecosystems, classification, statistical tests

Set 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 Curriculum links: sampling techniques, data manipulation and handling, data presentation, scientific attitudes and experimental skills, classification, statistical tests

Mammals

Birds

Record species of mammals in an area of your grounds using camera trap or animal prints Time of year: Any time Time to complete: Set camera trap or clay tray one evening, one hour next day to identify species Equipment: Camera trap OR clay and metal tray, identification guides Curriculum links: field techniques, data manipulation and handling, data presentation, scientific attitudes and experimental skills, ecosystems, classification

Record bird species, measure the temperature and record the date Check whether birds have a favourite food colour Time of year: Any time Time to complete: Set up food in the morning, one hour to check later in the day Equipment: FSC bird identification chart, food colouring, dough, thermometer, bird feeders, top-pan balance Curriculum links: sampling techniques, data manipulation and handling, data presentation, scientific attitudes and experimental skills, ecosystems, classification, statistical tests

Plants

See which plants are growing in your grounds and how abiotic factors affect it OR See which plants grow in the hedgerow and which animals live there Time of year: Any time Time to complete: Half a day Equipment: quadrat, FSC plant identification sheets, jar, magnifying glass, small clear containers to hold insects, pH meter, ropes Curriculum links: sampling techniques, data manipulation and handling, data presentation, scientific attitudes and experimental skills, ecosystems, classification, field techniques, statistical tests, soil analysis

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