HPGE Entomology in Action

Students will collect invertebrates using a range of fieldwork techniques.

Students will undertake a short walk to observe invertebrates in their natural habitats.

About this program

This workshop provides a deep dive into the world of invertebrates, including ecology, anatomy, taxonomy, and conservation.

Students collaborate with an entomologist to document findings and construct a mounted model invertebrate. Students will undertake a short walk to observe invertebrates in their natural habitats. The needs of invertebrates and their role in a bushland environment will be emphasised.

Learning Intentions and Success Criteria

We are learning to:

understand that living things and their environments depend on each other to survive and change over time.
develop skills to observe, classify, and investigate plants, animals and their habitats in the local environment.
conduct a simple scientific investigation, including making predictions, collecting data, and interpreting results.
understand the role of invertebrates in ecosystems, including their role as pollinators and food sources.
explore ways to care for and protect local plants and animals.

We can:

Describe how a number of living things depend on each other and their environment.
Follow safety and respect rules while in a natural environment.
Use observation skills to find and name plants and animals on the bushwalk.
Sort and group animals using given features.

Use microscopes to look closely at invertebrates and identify their key features.
Make a scientific drawing of an animal and explain what they notice.
Predict which invertebrates we might find, collect samples using safe methods, and record observations.
Create a simple tally and graph to show the number and types of animals found.
Explain why invertebrates are important for the environment .
Suggest ideas on how to protect local plants, animals, and habitats.

Program activities

Student Activities will include some of the following:

Bushwalk

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.

Collect Invertebrates

Students will collect invertebrates using a range of fieldwork techniques including pitfall traps, leaf litter digs, and arboreal vegetation shakes.

Nature Journal

Students will examine their collected specimens using magnifying devices and record their findings in a take-home nature journal.

Create and Model

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 to take home at the end of the day.