Skimmers, Slinkers and Swimmers – Pond Dipping

Facilitated Day Program
Years: Grade 3-12
Students: 50 students
Duration: 1 hour
2012 cost: $5 per student (minimum group cost $75.00)
2013 cost: $5.50 per student (minimum group cost $77.00)
Teacher / student ratio: 1:25

Book online

Discover the differences between a whirligig, boatman and a backswimmer
Explore the inhabitants on a microscopic level
Connect the dots in the life cycle of a pond

Investigate the teaming life in a fresh water pond. Who feeds on who? Analyse your catch macroscopically and then microscopically, using microscopes. Classify and categorise your findings into a simple food web.

The Australian Curriculum – Science Links
Nature of Science: Science helps us to understand our world and can be used to make predictions. Science ideas and understandings change as new evidence becomes available

Science in the community: People in the local community use science in a range of ways for example caring for plants and animals

Structure and function of living things: The structural features of plants and animals and the functions of these features

Grouping living things: Grouping living things on the basis of observable characteristics

Interactions of living things: Interactions between living things in a habitat, including simple food chains in local environments

Influence of science: Science has led to changes in the way people live and its applications both influence and can be influenced by personal and community choices

Micro-organisms: The role of micro-organisms in areas such as human health, food and the environment

Relationships of living things: Relationships between living things, including food webs, and suitability for particular habitats

Using Earth's resources: Human activity, such as the use and management of water, energy sources and mineral resources, can have consequences for the environment and other living things