What’s Happening in Science in Term 3 2026

Foundation:

This term, our Foundation students are investigating the exciting topic of Staying Alive, where they will discover what living things need to survive. Through engaging, hands-on learning experiences, students will explore the basic needs of humans and animals, including air, food, water and shelter. Students will compare the similarities and differences between the survival needs of humans and animals while developing their understanding of how living things depend on their environment.

Grade 1/2:

In Term 3, we will explore the fascinating world of small animals through the Schoolyard Safari unit. Using their observation and investigation skills, students will venture into the school grounds to search for evidence of the animals that live in our local environment. Through a variety of experiences, students will investigate the features and behaviours of small creatures such as ants, earthworms and other invertebrates. They will compare the similarities and differences between these animals and discover how they are adapted to survive in their habitats.

Grade 3/4:

This term, we will explore the diversity of living things through the Feathers, Fur or Leaves unit. Through hands-on investigations, students will learn how scientists classify living things by using a ‘branching key’ to identify and group animals based on their characteristics. Students will investigate the similarities and differences between humans and animals, exploring the essential needs for survival, including air, food, water, shelter and space. They will also examine how the senses help both humans and animals gather information about their environment, respond to changes and meet their survival needs.

Grade 5/6:

This term, our students will investigate the fascinating world of Desert Survivors, exploring how plants and animals have adapted to thrive in some of Earth’s harshest environments. Through a range of engaging investigations, students will observe and compare the structural features of different desert-dwelling animals, discovering how these adaptations help them survive in extreme conditions. They will explore how living things change over time through evolution, learning that structural adaptations develop gradually across many generations in response to changing environments.