D.I.Y. Equipment

Source: 

  Craigellachie National Nature Reserve, Education Pack (SNH)

Time

60  minutes or longer

You will need

• large coffee tin, cling film & strong rubber band
• wire coat hanger, fine net curtains or muslin
• broom handle or bamboo cane
• needle & thread, string
• plastic tub with close fitting lid, straws, blue tak,
• poly tubing, muslin or old pair of tights
• worksheets (see downloads)

Did you know?

Your local ranger service or staff associated with your nearest nature reserve may be able to help you take your class out pond or river dipping / searching for minibeasts.

Before the Activity

Read the DIY Equipment ideas sheets (see downloads below) and see the activity Investigations Techniques in the School Grounds section. Set the class the challenge of designing their own minibeast and pond investigation equipment. Start with a general brainstorming session and then get each group to design and draw each piece of equipment. They will need to add in sizes and a list of household items which can be used to make them. Show them the downloaded equipment sheets and compare designs. The children can chose to stick with their own designs or take on board the suggestions in the sheets. Try to get the children to bring in items from home. 

The Activity

Use the D.I.Y. equipment sheets as a guide or the children's own designs. Make the equipment and then test it out in the school grounds, refine as necessary. The pooters could be tested with grains of rice or tiny scrunched up pieces of paper, and the technique practiced, before testing out on live animals.

See the activity Pond and River dipping for further information on using the equipment

Suggested Follow up

• The activity Aquatic Detectives  in the Fresh water section
• The activity Minibeast Detectives in the Biodiversity section
• Try making a pitfall trap, see  'How to set a minibeast (pitfall) trap' in the minibeast section of Schools Out
  

Downloads

• DIY Equipment - Pooters
• DIY Equipment - Pond net & pond peerer
  

Additional Information

  'How to set a minibeast (pitfall) trap' in the minibeast section of Schools Out

Curriculum Links

• Science - main
• Technologies - main
  

Age Range

2,3