Practical activity: Sampling techniques

This resource details a range of activities that students can use to explore nature in their local outdoor spaces.

Activites include: pitfall traps, footprint tunnel, light trapping, camera traps, soil inverterbrate survey, sweeping, beating, pond dipping, kick sampling, microhabitat searches.

  • Key Stage: KS2, KS3
  • Time required: varies with activity

About this resource

  • Resource type: outdoor practical activity
  • Theme: Tools for outdoor enquiry
  • Curriculum links

Materials required

  • outdoor spaces
  • Fieldworks cards
  • different activies require:
    • printed Google satellite map
    • hula hoop or wire frame quadrat
    • tape measure
    • vinegar
    • scoops
    • water
    • hand washing facilities
    • optional: OS map or smartphone
    • optional: compass (most smartphones have one built in)
    • optional: camera

Browse all our Explore: Urban Nature resources

Use our learning resources with your students to explore the nature on your doorstep and discover the challenges it faces.

Do your bit for nature

Biodiversity is connected to almost every aspect of our lives, but it needs our help. Small actions can make a big difference.