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 the current life stage and predicting what comes next. Discussion connects pollination, seed dispersal and habitat to broader ecosystem interdependence.
Learning outcomes
- Compare the life cycles of plants and animals, including insects and amphibians, and explain how reproduction continues the life cycle
- Describe similarities and differences between offspring and parents, and explain why offspring are similar but not identical
- Observe live mealworms, identify the current life stage and predict what stage comes next
- Investigate how flowers are pollinated and connect this to the survival of both the plant and the pollinator
- Compare how different seeds are dispersed and connect seed dispersal to a plant's chance of survival
- Set up and explain a seed germination experiment as a way of meeting a plant's basic needs
Curriculum links
- VC2S4U02Core
Different living things have different life cycles, and offspring are similar to but not identical to their parents. View on VCAA ↗
- VC2S4I01Core
Observations can be used to pose questions and make predictions to guide an investigation, including predicting what comes next in a sequence. View on VCAA ↗
- VC2S4U03Related
Living things can be classified as producers, consumers or decomposers, and these roles form food chains within a habitat. View on VCAA ↗
- VC2S4H01Related
Data collected from students' own investigations can be used to explain natural phenomena and everyday observations. View on VCAA ↗
Often booked alongside
Chemical Sciences
Christmas SciTech
Students grow a crystal Christmas tree, mould a bouncy snowball, unmask mystery liquids with a colour-change indicator, make instant snow, launch Santa's sleigh and build a snowball catapult to take home.
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 particle movement, comparing conduction through plastic and metal using an infrared thermometer, and testing how insulators slow heat transfer.
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.