Schoolyard safari incursion | Stage 1 Science and Technology
Program overview
Schoolyard safari is a Stage 1 Science and Technology incursion where students collect and use data to investigate living things in habitats around their school.
Working in small groups, students safely search for and observe invertebrates using simple field equipment, magnifiers and identification charts, then record their observations in a structured graphic organiser. During an iPad photo walk, students photograph living things and create a digital document that groups their findings. The incursion directly aligns with Lessons 9, 10 and 11 of Unit 1 of the NSW Department of Education Stage 1 sample units for the Science and Technology K–6 Syllabus (2024).
Learning intention
- We are learning to collect, record and group information about living things in a local habitat.
Jump to: Program and curriculum | Essential information | Plan and prepare | Location | Related programs
Program and curriculum information
Program activities
Activities may change to suit student needs, timing and school arrangements.
Invertebrate survey
Working in small groups, students 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 and other simple scientific equipment.
Students discuss where living things are found and how local habitats provide suitable places for them to live. They examine collected invertebrates using magnifiers and identification charts, make sensory observations and describe important external features.
Students record different types of observations and data about their invertebrates using a structured graphic organiser.
Living things photo walk
Equipped with iPads, students conduct a photo survey of living things in the school grounds. They photograph plants, animals and other organisms, then learn how to save and retrieve their digital observations.
Students create a digital document and sort their photographs into groups using simple criteria. They explain the reasons for their classifications, share their findings and reflect on the variety of living things found in a local habitat.
Suggested timetable
Time |
Classes A and B |
Classes C and D |
| 9.30–11.00 | Invertebrate survey | Living things photo walk |
| Recess | ||
| 11.30–1.00 | Living things photo walk | Invertebrate survey |
Times and session durations may vary depending on the school timetable, available learning areas and number of participating classes.
More than 4 classes will need to book an additional day.
Please include your school's bell times in the notes section of your booking form.
Syllabus outcomes and content
Students will learn to
- make and record observations of living things in a local habitat
- safely collect and examine invertebrates using simple scientific equipment
- describe observable features of invertebrates
- collect and represent information using descriptions and images
- use digital tools to capture, save and retrieve data
- group living things and justify their groupings using observable information
- create a digital document to organise and communicate findings
- communicate findings using scientific vocabulary
The incursion directly supports the Science and Technology K–6 Syllabus (2024) through investigations of living things, data collection, classification and the creation of a digital product.
Science and Technology K–6 Syllabus (2024)
Investigations of changes provide knowledge and understanding
Outcomes
- ST1-SCI-01 – Measures and describes changes in living things, materials, movement, Earth and the sky
- ST1-DAT-01 – Collects, represents and uses data to identify patterns and relationships
Content addressed
Living things change over time
- Recognise that data can be collected through observation and that it can be represented as descriptions and images
- Collect data about the variety of living things in a local habitat, group them and justify the groupings
Design and digital solutions are created through knowledge and understanding
Outcome
- ST1-DDT-01 – Uses technologies and materials to design and make products to address user needs or opportunities
Content addressed
Digital systems use inputs and algorithms to produce an output
- Use the basic features of common digital tools to capture, save and retrieve data
Science and Technology K–6 Syllabus (2024) © 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
Essential information
Cost, class numbers and booking
Cost
DoE school – $27 per student, GST free
Non-government school – $37 per student, GST free, minimum charge $750 per class
A minimum charge of $750 per class applies to non-metropolitan schools.
Classes
A recommended maximum of four classes can participate each day, with up to 30 students per class.
The indoor learning space must comfortably accommodate all participating classes.
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.
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.
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
Plan and prepare
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 areas and class organisation
Reserve suitable and accessible gardens, planted areas or other natural areas in the school grounds for the invertebrate survey and living things photo walk.
The areas should provide access to leaf litter, plants, trees, soil or other suitable places where invertebrates and other living things may be safely investigated. Inspect the areas before the incursion and remove or manage temporary hazards.
Organise students into small groups before the program begins. Ensure participating teachers understand the boundaries of the outdoor learning areas and the required supervision arrangements.
Include the school’s bell times in the notes section of the booking form. The timetable may be adjusted to suit school bell times, class numbers and available learning areas.
Location
School incursions
Planning information for incursions delivered at your school, including learning spaces, accessibility, risk management and staff access.
Extend student learning
Use these student-friendly fact sheets before or after the Schoolyard safari incursion to introduce schoolyard living things, invertebrates, habitats, data collection and the grouping of observations.
- Invertebrate fact sheets – Explore insects, spiders, worms, molluscs and other small animals students may find in school grounds.
- Insects fact sheet – Learn about insect features that can help students observe, sort, group and describe living things.
- Ant fact sheet – Explore social insects that live in groups, collect food and move through schoolyard habitats.
- Spider fact sheet – Learn about arachnids that may be found on plants, leaf litter, bark, rocks and logs.
- Leaf litter habitat fact sheet – Discover fallen leaves, bark and twigs where small animals shelter, feed and hide.
- Habitat fact sheet – Learn how food, water, shelter and space help living things survive.
Learn with us
Book this incursion
Book this Stage 1 Science and Technology incursion using our online booking form.
Schoolyard safari learning resource
Use Schoolyard safari learning resources to introduce animal features, habitats, safe collection methods, invertebrate observations and classification before or after the incursion.
Related Stage 1 programs
Animals animated incursion
Investigate invertebrate features and habitats, then create a stop-motion animation using plasticine models and iPads.
Life cycles incursion
Investigate how invertebrates grow and change by collecting specimens, identifying life stages and constructing scientific models.