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)
