Year 7s Biology Scavenger Hunt
Let’s go find a … frog!
Year 7 Science students ventured out into the school grounds for an exciting biology scavenger hunt earlier this term. This hands-on activity was designed to help students observe and understand life processes and organs in both plants and animals.
Armed with cameras and notebooks, the students eagerly set out to capture photos of organisms demonstrating one or more of the seven life processes: movement, respiration, sensitivity, growth, reproduction, excretion and nutrition. The rules of the scavenger hunt added an extra layer of challenge and fun: no two photos could depict the same life process or organ from the same species, and all photos had to be clearly labelled.
The students made some fascinating discoveries during their exploration. Here are a few highlights:
Movement: One group captured a stunning photo of a bird in mid-flight, showcasing the beauty of animal movement. They also observed movement in the koi pond and a tiny jumping frog.
Sensitivity – they noted flowers opening during the day and leaves facing the sun.
Reproduction – many flowers were in bloom with lots of bees pollinating, especially the cannonball tree (Couroupita guianensis) behind by the Arts building was in full bloom.
Nutrition – A bee collecting nectar from a flower and roots absorbing water and nutrients from the soil were perfect illustrations of how organisms obtain their nutrition. The students also observed leaves absorbing sunlight for photosynthesis.
The scavenger hunt was not only educational but also a lot of fun. The students enjoyed the opportunity to explore the school grounds and observe biology in action. By taking photos and labelling them, they reinforced their understanding of life processes and organs in a memorable and engaging way.
This activity was a wonderful example of how hands-on learning can bring classroom concepts to life. The Year 7 students are already looking forward to their next Science adventure!
