Biological Sciences
Life Cycles
Students compare the life cycles of plants, insects and amphibians, investigate pollination and seed dispersal, and observe live mealworms to track an insect life cycle in action.
Year 3–4
90 min
up to 30 students
$490 + GST
What students will do
Students use plastic plant and frog models alongside real bee specimens to compare and sequence life cycles across organism types, noting key differences in reproduction strategies. They simulate flower pollination using pipe-cleaner bee models and turmeric, then examine a diverse seed collection to compare dispersal mechanisms, from wind-borne seeds to animal-carried ones. Each student sets up a seed germination experiment in a cotton-wool sandwich container to observe over the following weeks. Individual containers of live mealworms allow students to observe an insect life cycle in action, identifying current life stage and predicting what comes next. Discussion connects pollination, seed dispersal and habitat to broader ecosystem interdependence.
Curriculum outcomes
Victorian Curriculum v2.0 content descriptions addressed in this session.
- VC2S4U02
Compare the life cycles of plants and animals including insects and amphibians, and explain how reproduction continues the life cycle
- VC2S4U02
Describe similarities and differences between offspring and parents, and explain why offspring are similar but not identical
- VC2S4U01
Explain how living things depend on each other and their environment — including for pollination and seed dispersal — to survive and reproduce
Often booked alongside
Physical Sciences
Force & Motion
Students measure forces with a spring balance, test friction across surfaces, feel inertia first-hand, launch reaction rockets, and explore magnetism and static electricity.
Physical Sciences
Heat & Energy
Students investigate how heat moves by observing convection currents, comparing conduction through plastic and metal using an infrared thermometer, and testing how insulators slow heat transfer.
Chemical Sciences
Natural & Processed Materials
Students sort real specimens by origin, process gelatine into bioplastic, test elasticity and shape memory in nitinol wire, and examine absorbency under digital microscopes.
Bring Life Cycles to your school
Tell us your year levels and preferred dates. We'll confirm availability and bring everything with us.
Limited dates each term — one facilitator, one school per day.