Year 6- Zoolab

Year 6- A visit from Zoolab

Project Overview

This half term year 6 were visited by Zoolab and a few of their reptiles and creep crawlies. The reason for the visit was to celebrate World of Work Week and to give the children a chance to apply their scientific knowledge to real life animals and living things. 

To begin with, many of the children were nervous to meet some of the living things that Zoolab showed them. However, after some encouragement, and a bit of information about each creature the children were brave enough to handle many of the living things, including: a large snail, a snake, a giant millipede, a cockroach and a tarantula! 

The children’s behaviour was incredible in this session. They demonstrated good listening skills and asked many questions about each of the living things in the workshop. Many of the children were also keen to ask questions about working for a company like Zoolab and have said how working with animals may be a job they consider in the future! 

What The Student Says

” At first, when the boxes of creatures appeared in the classroom was I a little bit worried about them escaping. I really don’t like spiders and when I heard that we’d be looking at a tarantula I wanted to leave the room! I didn’t go near the tarantula but I held a snake!” Pupil in 6NP.

” I really enjoyed the visit from Zoolab. I held every single living thing that I could and I wasn’t scared! It was great fun!” Pupil from 6MB. 

” This was so much fun! I can’t believe that I actually touched a snake! Did you know that the snake I held was actually only a baby and will grow to be about 6ft long!” Pupil from 6LJ.

What skills were developed?

The children have:

• shown that they can describe the ways in which nutrients and water are transported within animals.
• been able to describe how living things are classified into broad groups according to common observable characteristics and based on similarities and differences, including micro-organisms, plants and animals.
• learnt about what we need to do to look after animals, plants and the planet.
• explored how each animal is cared for in captivity. 
• considered native habitats and compared to the needs of animals in captivity. 

What The Teacher Says

” The children were a little unsure when Zoolab first arrived with a box full of living things that would frighten most of us! However, once the children became familiar with each of the living things they were excited to handle them. The children were far more braver than me! 

During the session, the children learnt so much about each of the creatures that were in the session. They were able to create information posters to share the knowledge that they gained from the session.” 

Mrs Phipps (6NP Class Teacher)