Monitoring projects KS1-2

Contribute to a national monitoring scheme by repeating data collection as often as you can throughout the project life. All projects are most suitable for small groups of children, but could be used as class activities with multiple groups of children.

For help choosing or getting started, just email us!

Visit TES to download our KS1-2 project pack containing all projects here.

Bees	Moths & butterflies
Identify and count species of bees on bushes Measure the temperature and record the date Time of year: February-September Time to monitor: 15 minutes Equipment: FSC bee identification chart, thermometer Curriculum links: identifying and classifying, data recording and presentation, taking measurements, plant life cycle, using classification keys, increasing vocabulary, writing skills, numeracy, scientific units, computer skills	Attract moths with a lightbox or sugar ropes Attract butterflies with sugar sponges Record the species, measure the temperature and record the date Time of year: Any time (summer term best) Time to monitor: One hour to build light box, 1 hour to check for moths and/or 15 minutes for monitoring butterflies Equipment: light box OR string, wood for frame, cola, sugar, and treacle (for moths) AND/OR small jars, sponges, and sugar (for butterflies); thermometer, small clear containers for holding insects, FSC identification sheets Curriculum links: change over seasons, habitats, use of everyday materials, data recording and presentation, taking measurements, changing environments, using classification keys, increasing vocabulary, writing skills, numeracy, scientific units, computer skills

Bees

Moths & butterflies

Identify and count species of bees on bushes
Measure the temperature and record the date
Time of year: February-September
Time to monitor: 15 minutes
Equipment: FSC bee identification chart, thermometer
Curriculum links: identifying and classifying, data recording and presentation, taking measurements, plant life cycle, using classification keys, increasing vocabulary, writing skills, numeracy, scientific units, computer skills

- - Attract moths with a lightbox or sugar ropes
  - Attract butterflies with sugar sponges
  - Record the species, measure the temperature and record the date
  - Time of year: Any time (summer term best)
  - Time to monitor: One hour to build light box, 1 hour to check for moths and/or 15 minutes for monitoring butterflies
  - Equipment: light box OR string, wood for frame, cola, sugar, and treacle (for moths) AND/OR small jars, sponges, and sugar (for butterflies); thermometer, small clear containers for holding insects, FSC identification sheets
  - Curriculum links: change over seasons, habitats, use of everyday materials, data recording and presentation, taking measurements, changing environments, using classification keys, increasing vocabulary, writing skills, numeracy, scientific units, computer skills

Insects	Fungi
Bury flowerpot pitfall traps to catch beetles Identify and release species, measure the temperature and record the date Time of year: March – October Time to monitor: 10 minutes to place traps, 20 minutes maximum to collect and identify Equipment: FSC insect identification chart, flowerpots, thermometer, magnifying glass, small clear containers for holding insects Curriculum links: change over seasons, habitats, data recording and presentation, taking measurements, changing environments, using classification keys, increasing vocabulary, writing skills, numeracy, scientific units, computer skills	Record fungal species in your grounds, monitor how long they last for and who eats them Measure the temperature and record the date Time of year: October-March Time to monitor: 30 minutes Equipment: camera, FSC fungi identification chart, thermometer Curriculum links: change over seasons, habitats, data recording and presentation, food chains, taking measurements, changing environments, using classification keys, increasing vocabulary, writing skills, numeracy, scientific units, computer skills

Insects

Fungi

- Bury flowerpot pitfall traps to catch beetles
- Identify and release species, measure the temperature and record the date
- Time of year: March – October
- Time to monitor: 10 minutes to place traps, 20 minutes maximum to collect and identify
- Equipment: FSC insect identification chart, flowerpots, thermometer, magnifying glass, small clear containers for holding insects
- Curriculum links: change over seasons, habitats, data recording and presentation, taking measurements, changing environments, using classification keys, increasing vocabulary, writing skills, numeracy, scientific units, computer skills

- Record fungal species in your grounds, monitor how long they last for and who eats them
- Measure the temperature and record the date
- Time of year: October-March
- Time to monitor: 30 minutes
- Equipment: camera, FSC fungi identification chart, thermometer
- Curriculum links: change over seasons, habitats, data recording and presentation, food chains, taking measurements, changing environments, using classification keys, increasing vocabulary, writing skills, numeracy, scientific units, computer skills

Pollen	Reptiles & amphibians
Using fluorescent powder on flowering plants Track pollination by monitoring how the powder is spread to other plants Time of year: Spring/Summer terms Time to monitor: children working in groups 10 minutes to mark flowers and 10 minutes to monitor Equipment: Fluorescent powder, fine paint brush, magnifying glass, FSC flower guides, measuring tapes Curriculum links: data recording and presentation, map skills, taking measurements, plant life cycle, using classification keys, increasing vocabulary, writing skills, numeracy, scientific units, computer skills	Put down mats to monitor reptiles and amphibians in your grounds Time of year: Autumn and Summer terms Time to monitor: Up to 10 minutes per tile Equipment: carpet tiles, rubber gloves, camera, nail varnish Curriculum links: identify species, change over seasons, habitats, data recording and presentation, taking measurements, changing environments, using classification keys, increasing vocabulary, writing skills, numeracy, scientific units, computer skills

Pollen

Reptiles & amphibians

- Using fluorescent powder on flowering plants
- Track pollination by monitoring how the powder is spread to other plants
- Time of year: Spring/Summer terms
- Time to monitor: children working in groups 10 minutes to mark flowers and 10 minutes to monitor
- Equipment: Fluorescent powder, fine paint brush, magnifying glass, FSC flower guides, measuring tapes
- Curriculum links: data recording and presentation, map skills, taking measurements, plant life cycle, using classification keys, increasing vocabulary, writing skills, numeracy, scientific units, computer skills

- Put down mats to monitor reptiles and amphibians in your grounds
- Time of year: Autumn and Summer terms
- Time to monitor: Up to 10 minutes per tile
- Equipment: carpet tiles, rubber gloves, camera, nail varnish
- Curriculum links: identify species, change over seasons, habitats, data recording and presentation, taking measurements, changing environments, using classification keys, increasing vocabulary, writing skills, numeracy, scientific units, computer skills

Pondlife	Birds
Monitor appearance and development of frog and toad spawn in a pond Measure the temperature and record the date Pond dip to discover which insect species live in the pond Time of year: Any time (late winter term for spawn) Time to monitor: 10 minutes for frog and toad spawn, 1 hour to collect and weigh spawn (optional); 1 hour for pond dipping Equipment: thermometer, nets, small bucket, magnifying glass, teaspoons, FSC identification sheets, scales Curriculum links: structure of common animals, change over seasons, habitats, data recording and presentation, food chains, taking measurements, changing environments, using classification keys, increasing vocabulary, writing skills, numeracy, scientific units, computer skills	Record bird species, measure the temperature and record the date Time of year: Any time Time to monitor: 15 minutes Equipment: FSC bird identification chart, thermometer Curriculum links: identify birds, change over seasons, habitats, data recording and presentation, taking measurements, changing environments, using classification keys, reproduction, increasing vocabulary, writing skills, numeracy, scientific units, computer skills

Pondlife

Birds

- Monitor appearance and development of frog and toad spawn in a pond
- Measure the temperature and record the date
- Pond dip to discover which insect species live in the pond
- Time of year: Any time (late winter term for spawn)
- Time to monitor: 10 minutes for frog and toad spawn, 1 hour to collect and weigh spawn (optional); 1 hour for pond dipping
- Equipment: thermometer, nets, small bucket, magnifying glass, teaspoons, FSC identification sheets, scales
- Curriculum links: structure of common animals, change over seasons, habitats, data recording and presentation, food chains, taking measurements, changing environments, using classification keys, increasing vocabulary, writing skills, numeracy, scientific units, computer skills

- Record bird species, measure the temperature and record the date
- Time of year: Any time
- Time to monitor: 15 minutes
- Equipment: FSC bird identification chart, thermometer
- Curriculum links: identify birds, change over seasons, habitats, data recording and presentation, taking measurements, changing environments, using classification keys, reproduction, increasing vocabulary, writing skills, numeracy, scientific units, computer skills

Trees	Slugs
Survey the trees in your grounds – find out which trees you have and what is living on them Measure the temperature and record the date Time of year: Any time Time to monitor: About 1 hour Equipment: OPAL tree guide, tape measure, wax crayons, paper, magnifying glass or phonescope, ruler, thermometer Curriculum links: trees, change over seasons, habitats, data recording and presentation, food chains, taking measurements, changing environments, using classification keys, increasing vocabulary, writing skills, numeracy, scientific units, computer skills	Record slug species in your grounds Time of year: Any time Time to monitor: 1 hour Equipment: FSC slug identification chart, thermometer, phonescope or magnifying glass, black paper, ruler, petri dish Curriculum links: change over seasons, data recording and presentation, taking measurements, changing environments, using classification keys, increasing vocabulary, writing skills, numeracy, scientific units, computer skills

Trees

Slugs

- Survey the trees in your grounds – find out which trees you have and what is living on them
- Measure the temperature and record the date
- Time of year: Any time
- Time to monitor: About 1 hour
- Equipment: OPAL tree guide, tape measure, wax crayons, paper, magnifying glass or phonescope, ruler, thermometer
- Curriculum links: trees, change over seasons, habitats, data recording and presentation, food chains, taking measurements, changing environments, using classification keys, increasing vocabulary, writing skills, numeracy, scientific units, computer skills

- Record slug species in your grounds
- Time of year: Any time
- Time to monitor: 1 hour
- Equipment: FSC slug identification chart, thermometer, phonescope or magnifying glass, black paper, ruler, petri dish
- Curriculum links: change over seasons, data recording and presentation, taking measurements, changing environments, using classification keys, increasing vocabulary, writing skills, numeracy, scientific units, computer skills

Dead wood	Snails
Monitor species living in and on dead wood Measure the temperature and record the date Time of year: Any time Time to monitor: About 1 hour Equipment: OPAL tree guide, magnifying glass or phonescope, ruler, thermometer Curriculum links: trees, change over seasons, habitats, data recording and presentation, food chains, taking measurements, changing environments, using classification keys, increasing vocabulary, writing skills, numeracy, scientific units, computer skills	Record snail species in your grounds Time of year: Early autumn and spring/summer terms Time to monitor: 1 hour Equipment: FSC snail identification chart, thermometer, phonescope or magnifying glass, black paper, ruler, petri dish Curriculum links: change over seasons, data recording and presentation, taking measurements, changing environments, using classification keys, increasing vocabulary, writing skills, numeracy, scientific units, computer skills

Dead wood

Snails

- Monitor species living in and on dead wood
- Measure the temperature and record the date
- Time of year: Any time
- Time to monitor: About 1 hour
- Equipment: OPAL tree guide, magnifying glass or phonescope, ruler, thermometer
- Curriculum links: trees, change over seasons, habitats, data recording and presentation, food chains, taking measurements, changing environments, using classification keys, increasing vocabulary, writing skills, numeracy, scientific units, computer skills

- Record snail species in your grounds
- Time of year: Early autumn and spring/summer terms
- Time to monitor: 1 hour
- Equipment: FSC snail identification chart, thermometer, phonescope or magnifying glass, black paper, ruler, petri dish
- Curriculum links: change over seasons, data recording and presentation, taking measurements, changing environments, using classification keys, increasing vocabulary, writing skills, numeracy, scientific units, computer skills

Lichens	Wet holes
Survey the trees in your grounds to see which lichens are living on them and how they change throughout the year Measure the temperature and record the date Time of year: Any time Time to monitor: About 1 hour Equipment: OPAL tree guide, OPAL lichen guide, nail varnish, petri dishes, copydex glue, knife or paintscraper (for removing bark), magnifying glass or phonescope, ruler, thermometer Curriculum links: trees, change over seasons, habitats, data recording and presentation, food chains, taking measurements, changing environments, using classification keys, increasing vocabulary, writing skills, numeracy, scientific units, computer skills	Investigate the life living in holes in trees Time of year: Any time Time to monitor: 1 hour Equipment: OPAL tree guide, FSC freshwater invertebrate guide, thermometer, phonescope or magnifying glass, petri dish, nail varnish, meat baster, jug, sealable plastic containers Curriculum links: trees, food chains, habitats, change over seasons, data recording and presentation, taking measurements, changing environments, using classification keys, increasing vocabulary, writing skills, numeracy, scientific units, computer skills

Lichens

Wet holes

- Survey the trees in your grounds to see which lichens are living on them and how they change throughout the year
- Measure the temperature and record the date
- Time of year: Any time
- Time to monitor: About 1 hour
- Equipment: OPAL tree guide, OPAL lichen guide, nail varnish, petri dishes, copydex glue, knife or paintscraper (for removing bark), magnifying glass or phonescope, ruler, thermometer
- Curriculum links: trees, change over seasons, habitats, data recording and presentation, food chains, taking measurements, changing environments, using classification keys, increasing vocabulary, writing skills, numeracy, scientific units, computer skills

- Investigate the life living in holes in trees
- Time of year: Any time
- Time to monitor: 1 hour
- Equipment: OPAL tree guide, FSC freshwater invertebrate guide, thermometer, phonescope or magnifying glass, petri dish, nail varnish, meat baster, jug, sealable plastic containers
- Curriculum links: trees, food chains, habitats, change over seasons, data recording and presentation, taking measurements, changing environments, using classification keys, increasing vocabulary, writing skills, numeracy, scientific units, computer skills

Insects (2)	Earthworms
Survey the insects living in the soil and leaf litter Measure the temperature and record the date Time of year: Any time Time to monitor: About 1 hour Equipment: FSC minibeast guide, angle-poise lamp, funnel, sieve, glass jar, petri dishes, plastic pipettes, phonescope or magnifying glass Curriculum links: change over seasons, habitats, data recording and presentation, food chains, taking measurements, changing environments, using classification keys, increasing vocabulary, writing skills, numeracy, scientific units, computer skills	Time of year: Any time Time to monitor: Equipment: Curriculum links: change over seasons, data recording and presentation, taking measurements, changing environments, using classification keys, increasing vocabulary, writing skills, numeracy, scientific units, computer skills

Insects (2)

Earthworms

- Survey the insects living in the soil and leaf litter
- Measure the temperature and record the date
- Time of year: Any time
- Time to monitor: About 1 hour
- Equipment: FSC minibeast guide, angle-poise lamp, funnel, sieve, glass jar, petri dishes, plastic pipettes, phonescope or magnifying glass
- Curriculum links: change over seasons, habitats, data recording and presentation, food chains, taking measurements, changing environments, using classification keys, increasing vocabulary, writing skills, numeracy, scientific units, computer skills

- - Time of year: Any time
  - Time to monitor:
  - Equipment:
  - Curriculum links: change over seasons, data recording and presentation, taking measurements, changing environments, using classification keys, increasing vocabulary, writing skills, numeracy, scientific units, computer skills

None of these for you? Go back to the project finder to look for something a bit different.