Learning activities
Students will conduct a hands-on investigation by collecting invertebrates in the Field of Mars Reserve to observe their features and their environment.
They will learn how to observe the structure of invertebrates by creating scientific and observational drawings culminating in the creation of an invertebrate model that will be mounted in a box frame to take home.
Key questions
What types of invertebrates are found in the Field of Mars Reserve and what are their structural features?
How can we represent the details of living things in artworks?
Fieldwork
Invertbrate walk
The focus of this short walk is for students to observe invertebrates in their natural habitats. The needs of invertebrates and their role in a bushland environment will be emphasised.
Invertebrate investigation
Students will work as entomologists to conduct an investigation of different habitats in the Field of Mars Reserve.
They will examine their collected specimens using a range of magnifying devices.
Participants will work with an entomologist to explore invertebrate anatomy, taxonomy, and conservation. They will meet a range of invertebrates including stick insects, burrowing cockroaches, beetle larvae, scorpions, huntsmans, Australian tarantula, centipedes, isopods, and crayfish.
Invertebrate anatomy and models
Students will collect invertebrates using a range of fieldwork techniques including pitfall traps, leaf litter digs, and arboreal vegetation shakes.
Students will examine their collected specimens using magnifying devices and record their findings in a nature journal.
Based on their observations, students will construct an anatomically correct model of a real or imaginary invertebrate. Students will use a range of materials such as modelling clay, plasticine, or other materials to construct their models.
Upon completion, students will mount their model in a box frame to take home.
This program is only available to NSW Department of Education school students.
