Life cycles incursion | Stage 1 Science and Technology

Program activities

Activities may change to suit student needs, timing and school arrangements.

Invertebrate hunt

Students work in small groups to safely search for and collect invertebrates from habitats in the school grounds. Depending on the available habitat, students may use leaf-litter searches, tree shakes or sweep nets and other simple scientific equipment.

Students observe where different invertebrates are found and consider how leaf litter, plants, soil and other habitat features provide suitable places for small animals to live.

Invertebrate identification and life cycles

Students examine collected invertebrates using personal magnifiers, identification charts and life-stage charts. They identify external features and compare specimens with stages such as egg, larva, pupa, juvenile and adult.

Selected specimens are magnified on a large screen for whole-class observation and discussion. Students use their observations as data and life-stage charts as scientific models to sequence stages and describe how an animal’s features change as it grows.

Students observe a live phasmid and learn about its life cycle through an age-appropriate narrative. They identify its external features and discuss how these features help the animal survive. Gentle, supervised handling may be offered where appropriate.

Build a bug – two-hour sessions only

Students use modelling material and loose natural items to construct an invertebrate based on a species they observed.

They include important external features, identify the life stage represented and explain how the animal changes as it grows.

Suggested timetable

Schools can choose between 90-minute and 120-minute sessions.

90-min sessions	Classes
9.30–11.00	Classes A and D
11.30–1.00	Classes B and E
1.30–3.00	Classes C and F

Please include your school's bell times in the notes section of your booking form.

120-min sessions	Classes
9.00–11.00	Classes A, B, C
11.30–1.30	Classes D, E, F

The 120-minute session includes the Build a bug modelling activity.

This timetable may require some classes to begin recess or lunch earlier or later than usual. Times may be adjusted to suit school bell times, class numbers and program arrangements.

Syllabus outcomes and content

Students will learn to

• observe and compare invertebrates found in a local habitat
• identify and sequence stages in an animal’s life cycle
• use observations as data
• use life-stage charts as scientific models
• describe how an animal’s features change as it grows
• communicate growth and change using scientific vocabulary

The incursion directly supports the Science and Technology K–6 Syllabus (2024) through a hands-on investigation of animal life stages and changes in living things.

Science and Technology K–6 Syllabus (2024)

Investigations of changes provide knowledge and understanding

Outcome

• ST1-SCI-01 – Measures and describes changes in living things, materials, movement, Earth and the sky

Content addressed

Living things change over time

• Describe the changes in an animal as it goes through its life cycle using data and scientific models

Science and Technology K–6 Syllabus © NSW Education Standards Authority for and on behalf of the Crown in right of the State of New South Wales, 2024

Tier 2 and 3 vocabulary

observe, identify, classify, record, sequence, compare, explain, life cycle, life stage, egg, larva, pupa, juvenile, instar, invertebrate, phasmid, leaf litter, habitat, scientific model

Cost, class numbers and booking

Cost

DoE school $20 per student – GST free

Non-government school $26 per student – GST free, minimum charge $750 per class

A minimum charge of $750 per class applies to non-metropolitan schools.

Classes

A maximum of three sessions can be delivered each day.

The program is recommended for two or three classes per session, with up to 30 students per class.

Schools should ensure the selected indoor learning space can comfortably accommodate all classes participating in each session.

Program costs

Program costs may change. If program costs change after you book, you will be charged at the original cost.

Booking policy

Confirm final student numbers and classes 7 working school days before the program.

Book this Stage 1 Science and Technology incursion

Risk assessment and accessibility

View incursion risk assessments

Notify Field of Mars EEC before the incursion about medical, mobility, sensory, communication or other support needs so reasonable adjustments can be considered.

The school should ensure the selected indoor and outdoor learning spaces, furniture arrangements and movement routes are accessible and appropriate for participating students.

Classroom teachers are expected to attend and actively supervise students throughout the incursion.

Students who are unwell should not attend.

View school incursion location information

Weather, cancellations and rescheduling

The incursion may be modified, postponed or cancelled if travel or program delivery is unsafe because of extreme weather or fire danger.

Cancellation or rescheduling with less than 30 school days’ notice before the booking date – $650

Cancellation with less than 14 school days’ notice before the booking date – full program cost

Cancellation due to unsafe weather or fire danger – $0

Learning space and access

Provide one extra-large indoor learning space, with a screen or projector, for all participating classes. The space must comfortably accommodate multiple classes and remain available for the duration of the program day.

Ensure the room, outdoor learning areas, gates and movement routes are unlocked and available when Field of Mars EEC staff arrive.

Provide clear school-entry, visitor sign-in and parking instructions before the incursion. Where possible, arrange parking or an unloading area close to the main learning space.

Ensure the school office and participating teachers know when Field of Mars EEC staff will arrive and where the program will be delivered.

Outdoor learning area and session organisation

Reserve a suitable and accessible garden, planted area or other natural area in the school grounds for the invertebrate hunt.

The area should provide access to leaf litter, plants, soil or other suitable places where invertebrates may be safely investigated. Inspect the area before the incursion and remove or manage temporary hazards.

Ensure participating teachers understand the boundaries of the outdoor learning area and the supervision arrangements for students working in small groups.

Include the school’s bell times in the notes section of the booking form. Choose either 90-minute or 120-minute sessions when organising the day. The Build a bug activity is included only in the 120-minute session.