Bugs, bugs, bugs!

In the Bugs, Bugs, Bugs hands-on program, students examine the external features of real insects, spiders and other arthropods, using a hand lens to sort and classify them scientifically and learn about classification. Students will also learn how museum scientists look after the insect collection.

Students will engage with science inquiry skills and  become ‘scientists’ when they observe specimens  to make predictions about what is a bug, what is an insect and how is a spider different to an insect.

This interactive 30-minute program is recommended as an introduction for groups from Kinder, Foundation, and Level 1–3 before visiting the Bugs Alive! exhibition.

 We recommend an additional 30 minutes for exhibition viewing time.

Curriculum links

Biological Science:

Foundation-Level 2

• Living things have a variety of external features and live in different places where their basic needs, including food, water and shelter, are met
• Living things grow, change and have offspring similar to themselves

Level 3

• Living things can be grouped on the basis of observable features and can be distinguished from non-living things
• Different living things have different life cycles and depend on each other and the environment to survive

Science Inquiry Skills:

Foundation–Level 2

• Participate in guided investigations, including making observations and using the senses
• Compare observations and predictions with those of others

Level 3

• Represent and communicate observations, ideas and findings to show patterns and relationships using formal and informal scientific language
• Compare results with predictions, suggesting possible reasons for findings