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Quest 4: Mini-beast Traps


 Topic Heading: Mini-beast Traps
 Task: We are going to design a mini-beast trap
 Time:
  • 1 session for design
  • 1 session for making
  • An allocated time for monitoring activities
 Materials: At the teacher’s discretion, some access must be made to materials that are water resistant

Process:

  • Teacher introduces Quest
  • Children are shown the location where traps will be set
  • An opportunity to study which mini-beasts can be located in the area would prove useful
  • Back in class children are organized into groups of 3-5

Product Success Criteria:

  • Each group will produce a diagram / design brief of their trap
  • They will specify what creatures they are hoping to trap and how the trap will work effectively
  • The trap should not harm the mini-beasts in any way
  • Each group should give a name to their invention
  • The trap should be constructed in 45 minutes

Conclusion:

  • Each group should make a 3-5 minute presentation to the class, explaining their plan, the process involved in making and their predictions regarding success. It might prove helpful to allow time for a constructive feedback from other children.
  • Mini-beast traps are set in location

Development:

Monitor and record the effectiveness of the traps:

Q: What was caught?
Q: Did the trap meet success criteria in not harming any creature?
Q: Did they trap anything unexpected?
Q: Was there evidence of other visitors (i.e. tracks?)

Further Study:

Teachers might like to extend the project by giving time for the modification of traps in the light of experience.

Please refer to Quest 9 (KS2 Programme for extension and study of bromeliads)


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