Do animals have life cycles the same as plants?
As a class or in teams, students observe the growth and life cycle of animals such as mealworms, silkworms, butterflies (available from the butterfly house, Melbourne Zoo) or frogs. Animals can be obtained at the egg, larval and pupal stages. Students suggest what features of the animals at different stages could be observed, photographed and measured over time for example mass, length, shape, colour or features. They record their class or team observations of the growth and development of their chosen animals in a prepared digital spreadsheet or database. Students pose questions about what might influence the growth and stages of the life cycle of a particular animal. Possible influences to investigate include the quantities of food, amount of water or the animal’s response to light. In small teams and with assistance, students select a question, design and carry out an experiment, while ensuring they care for their animals responsibly. Students record observations over time in a tabl
