KS3-5 Projects

Choose your project and click on the title for the detailed project outline and resources. Want more help? Email us!

Bees

Moths & butterflies

Count species of bees on a bush and mark them with paper tags for population monitoring and flight distance Measure the temperature and record the date Time of year: February-September Equipment: FSC bee identification chart, thermometer, laminated paper tags, glue, paintbrush, permanent pen, small clear containers for holding bees Curriculum links: sampling techniques, data manipulation and handling, data presentation, scientific attitudes and experimental skills, classification, statistical tests

Make your own light box to capture moths Mark moths with paper tags for population monitoring Plant meadow seeds to attract butterflies Record the species, measure the temperature and record the date Time of year: Any time (summer term best) Equipment: washing up bowl, light bulb, extension cord, PVC, meadow seeds, thermometer, egg boxes, magnifying glass, small clear containers for holding insects, laminated paper tags, glue, paintbrush, permanent pen 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 photos, prints, and droppings Time of year: Any time Equipment: Camera trap Curriculum links: sampling techniques, data manipulation and handling, data presentation, scientific attitudes and experimental skills, ecosystems, classification, statistical tests

Record bird species, measure the temperature and record the date Carry out a breeding census using birdsong and nesting behaviour Check whether birds have a favourite food colour Time of year: Any time (breeding census spring) Equipment: FSC bird identification chart, food colouring, dough, thermometer, bird feeders Curriculum links: sampling techniques, data manipulation and handling, data presentation, scientific attitudes and experimental skills, ecosystems, classification, statistical tests

Insects

Fungi

Bury flowerpot pitfall traps to catch beetles Identify and release species, measure the temperature and record the date Time of year: March – October Equipment: FSC insect identification chart, flowerpots, thermometer, magnifying glass, small clear containers for holding insects Curriculum links: sampling techniques, data manipulation and handling, data presentation, scientific attitudes and experimental skills, ecosystems, classification, statistical tests

Record fungal species in your grounds, monitor how long they last for and who eats them Measure the temperature and record the date Place fungi in paper cups with vermiculite to rear flies breeding on mushrooms Time of year: October – March Equipment: camera, FSC fungi identification chart, fly identification chart (provided), thermometer, paper cups, vermiculite, 100% alcohol (provided) Curriculum links: sampling techniques, data manipulation and handling, data presentation, scientific attitudes and experimental skills, ecosystems, classification, statistical tests

Pollen	Reptiles
Put fluorescent powder on flowering plants Track pollination by monitoring how the powder is spread to other plants Time of year: Spring/Summer terms Equipment: Fluorescent powder, fine paint brush, magnifying glass Curriculum links: sampling techniques, data manipulation and handling, data presentation, scientific attitudes and experimental skills, statistical tests	Put down mats to monitor slow worms in your grounds Time of year: Spring/Summer terms Equipment: carpet tiles, rubber gloves, tray, camera, ruler Curriculum links: sampling techniques, data manipulation and handling, data presentation, scientific attitudes and experimental skills, statistical tests

Pondlife

Plants

Monitor appearance and development of frog and toad spawn in a pond Measure the temperature and record the date Pond dip to discover which insect species live in the pond Time of year: Spring term 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

See which plants grow throughout the year, the dominant species, and how soil affects it See which plants grow in the hedgerow and which animals live there Time of year: Any time Equipment: quadrat, FSC plant identification sheets, cylinders, oven, magnifying glass, small clear containers to hold insects, pH meter or barium sulphate Curriculum links: sampling techniques, data manipulation and handling, data presentation, scientific attitudes and experimental skills, ecosystems, classification, field techniques, statistical tests, soil analysis