Field of Mars Environmental Education Centre

Experience Engage Enable

Telephone02 9816 1298

Emailfieldofmar-e.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Movie bugs incursion program

Teacher checklist

Location

Your school

Cost

2025 DoE $25 per student - GST free

2025 Non-gov school cost $28 per student - GST free, minimum charge $750

Cost includes two school visits by Field of Mars teachers and program resources.

Schools are to confirm the number of students and classes at least 7 days prior to attending. Schools will be charged based on the number of students confirmed or number of students who attend on the day (whichever is greater). 

Risk assessment Risk management plan
School preparation

It is recommended schools provide one learning space, with an IWB, for all participating classes for the duration of the day.

Students will need to complete the essential class lessons and create a script, storyboard and movie bug prop before the second visit.

Bring

Students wear hats, sports uniform and reusable name tag.

Essential resources

Script and storyboard template

Animal and plant fact sheets

Invertebrate Explorer - available free from Apple Books

Parent/carer helpers

Day 1 - optional one to two parents per class

Day 2 - recommended two to three parents per class

No siblings

Medical or special needs

Notify Field of Mars staff prior to incursion. 

Students, staff and visitors must not attend if unwell, even with mild symptoms. 

Extreme or wet weather

Days predicted to be above 35ºC, high winds, extreme bush fire danger and dust storms may result in the incursion being modified, postponed or cancelled. 

Cancellations

Cancellations with less than 30 working school days notice will incur a $600 administration fee. 

Cancellations with less than 7 working school days notice will incur the full cost for the program based on the original booking. 

Cancellations due to weather or fire danger are exempt from fees. 


Suggested timetable up to six classes

Time

Activity

Morning session

Group 1 – maximum 2 classes

Day 1 – Invertebrate investigations 

Day 2 – Stop motion animation

Middle session

Group 2 – maximum 2 classes

Day 1 – Invertebrate investigations 

Day 2 – Stop motion animation

Afternoon session

Group 3 – maximum 2 classes

Day 1 – Invertebrate investigations 

Day 2 – Stop motion animation


Learning activities

Movie bugs is a literacy focused incursion program that engages students in stop motion animation projects using an iPad.

The program includes:

  • a hands-on investigation of the invertebrates found in your school

  • scripting, storyboard and prop development support

  • creation of a stop motion animation focused on the amazing features, habitats and life stages of a local invertebrate.

The Movie bugs program includes two school visits with Field of Mars teachers and approximately 3 hours of classroom time with the classroom teacher.

Field of Mars incursion - Day 1 

Students are guided through a hands-on investigation to discover and describe the invertebrates found in the school  playground. Scientific equipment is used to safely find and collect invertebrates for closer examination under microscopes and through digital display on a classroom smartboard. Students will examine the features, habitats and life cycles of some of these animals. Students will then be introduced to the steps required to prepare for 'animation day', the second Field of Mars incursion.

In the classroom 

Students will spend time learning more about invertebrates, developing a script and storyboard and creating invertebate props in readiness for 'animation day'.

Research

Students select an invertebrate to be their 'movie bug', the star of their animation. Students research their features, behaviours, habitat and how they grow and change. The Field of Mars fact sheets provide information to support research.

Scripts and storyboards

Students develop a script using the scaffold provided on their chosen invertebrate. The script should include observations made during the hands-on invertebrate investigation and research. 

The script includes details like: Name? What are its features? Where does it live? What does it eat? How does it grow and change?  

Movie bugs script and storyboard template

Creating props

The main prop for the animation is an invertebrate made from materials such as clay or plasticine. Pipe cleaners or sticks can be used for legs and antennae.

Invertebrate props will be 'acting' outdoors. The props need to be no larger than the palm of a hand, moveable and robust enough to move through the environment. One main prop per student should be made with additional props such as eggs, webs and individual features made to support the script.

Field of Mars incursion - Day 2 - Animation day

Field of Mars teachers will provide animation equipment and support student teams to record their stop motion animation. The completed digital product will be shared to the school digitally.



Syllabus outcomes and content

Science and Technology K-6 Syllabus (2024) 

Investigations of changes provide knowledge and understanding

Outcomes

  • Poses questions based on observations and information to investigate cause and effect ST1-PQU-01 
  • Measures and describes changes in living things, materials, movement, Earth and the sky ST1-SC1-01 

Content

Living things change over time

  • Collect data about the variety of living things in a local habitat, group them and justify the groupings
  • Describe the changes in a plant as it grows using data and scientific models
  • Describe the changes in an animal as it goes through its life cycle using data and scientific models

Design and digital solutions are created through knowledge and understanding

Outcomes

  • uses technologies and materials to design and make products to address user needs or opportunities ST1-DDT-01

Content

A design process is used to define user needs and create solutions

  • Recognise that a design process breaks large projects into manageable, logical steps
  • Pose questions and test how materials with different properties contribute to the effectiveness of a product
  • Apply one or more steps of a design process to make a product

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


Science and Technology K-10 Syllabus (2017)

Living world

Outcomes

  • observes, questions and collects data to communicate and compare ideas ST1-1WS-S
  • describes observable features of living things and their environments ST1-4LW-S 

Working scientifically

  • explore and answer questions through participation in guided scientific investigations 

  • compare observations with those of others 

  • make safe choices when using materials and equipment

Content

External features of living things

  • describe the external features of a variety of living things 

Living things live in different places

  • identify that living things live in different places that suit their needs 

Science and Technology K-6 Syllabus © NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) for and on behalf of the Crown in right of the State of New South Wales, 2017