Today I went out doing a minibeast hunt with reception, taking out a digital microscope (I use the Easi-Scope) connected to a laptop for viewing them – as one child said – “in giant size”. I’ve done this lesson for the last three years and always enjoy it since its one of the rare opportunities I have for actually taking a laptop outside. Some tips I’d recommend following if you intend to do a simiar lesson (based on experience) are:
- Do the lesson in late Spring/early Summer when the weather isn’t likely to be too cold/hot for the minibeasts to want to come out.
- Make sure you have a collection of minibeasts to show the children as a back-up in case they don’t find any (I collect this in the morning since minibeasts tend to hide away as they day goes on).
- Give the creatures something to eat/munch on (I use a few lettuce leaves).
- Ensure the container has ventilation holes if covered (I personally prefer a deep container that is open at the top).
- Use a transparent container so you can see the minibeasts from all angles.
- Give them plenty of soil to move about in.
- Dampen the soil if necessary (especially if it’s open at the top and you haven’t got much soil since it will dry out very quickly).
- Place the laptop being used to view the minibeasts in the shade since glare from the sun can make viewing the screen difficult otherwise.
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