Schoolyard safari | Primary science student learning resource

These Schoolyard Safari activities support NSW primary science and technology by guiding students to observe and identify invertebrates and other small animals in the school grounds or local environment. The resource includes fourteen hands-on activities supported by videos, worksheets and teacher notes.

Students learn about animal homes (habitats and microhabitats), how to safely search for and collect invertebrates, and how to describe and compare their external features such as body parts, legs, eyes, wings, antennae and protective coverings. They then apply their observations to design and make a model invertebrate that is well adapted to its habitat.

For more information on invertebrates, explore our invertebrate fact sheets.

Lesson 1 - Animal features and habitats

Students explore different animals and habitats, identifying basic external features and matching animals to the places where they live in the schoolyard or local environment.

Lesson 2 - Features of animals

Students closely examine a range of animals and invertebrates, using scientific vocabulary to describe and compare external features, and sorting animals into groups based on what they observe.

Lesson 3 - External features of invertebrates

Students investigate invertebrates found in the schoolyard, using magnifiers or digital microscopes to observe external features, record their findings and consider how these features help invertebrates survive.

Learn with us