Identify the current situation

Where have we come from and what do we know now? 

Build an understanding of what learners already know, and begin developing shared knowledge about biodiversity and pests. 

• Assess and record ākonga knowledge in this initial Pest Storm Activity (PDF file, 452KB). You will return to your ‘pest storm’ throughout your inquiry to add new insights and knowledge.
• Use the What am I Activity (PDF file, 356KB) to assess prior knowledge and begin learning about different pests.
• Investigate what makes a pest a pest through this What is a Pest Activity (PDF file, 380KB).
• Explore key terms, vocabulary and concepts using the Exotic, Endemic, Invasive Activity (PDF file, 414KB), which supports understanding of the language used in pest education. 
• Build understanding of plant pests in Canterbury and how they are managed by Environment Canterbury in our Plant Pests Activity (PDF file, 433KB). Identify the plant pests in this Farm Biosecurity Poster (PDF file, 2MB).

What can we observe?

Build a picture of what is currently living in your school environment. 

• Carry out a shorter version of a BioBlitz of your school grounds and record your findings on iNaturalist NZ to identify the living things present.
• Use tracking tunnels baited with peanut butter, meat or egg to attract animal pests, or use tinned pear for lizards. When using peanut butter please check for peanut allergies first. Predator Free NZ Trust also have a great resource on tracking cards and tunnels. Just note that the use of eggs as bait is not currently recommended due to the arrival of bird flu.
• Use this guide to identify animals by their footprints (PDF file, 5MB). Print double sided, flipped on the short edge. Cut each page in half then line up pages in order and staple the middle.
• Use ⁠⁠⁠chew cards and clues from Pest Detectives to help determine which pests are present at your school. If handling used chew cards that may have been baited with peanut butter, please check for peanut allergies first.
• Survey the birdlife at your school using these bird identification tools. Record learner wonderings as they ask questions such as "Is a sparrow native?.. How did blackbirds get here?.. I wonder why the bellbird visits our school when the kowhai blooms." 

What can we learn?

Develop an understanding of pest species and their impacts in Aotearoa New Zealand. 

• Pest species are identified in national and/or regional pest management plans. In Canterbury, pests are listed in the Canterbury Regional Pest Management Plan.
• Use the Tāhūrangi journal search to find articles such as Catching Mustelids and The Great Rat Catching Competition for younger students.
• Search for further information on pests in the National Library of New Zealand
• Search for biosecurity or pests in the Science Learning Hub to find: case studies, articles, videos and teacher PLD opportunities.
• Explore resources from the Department of Conservation. They have a myriad of teaching resources for learning in nature including Investigating introduced predators in your green space, as well as resources on plant pests/weeds and predator control in New Zealand.
• Access teaching plans from the Predator Free NZ Trust website, and check out their predator control guide for schools.
• Download the Weedbusters Activity Booklet (PDF file, 1,004KB).
• Learn about pest and disease threats at the border through MPI’s Biosecurity New Zealand.
• Watch the Fight for the Wild by RNZ documentary series exploring the idea of a Predator Free 2050 in Aotearoa. There are four 45-minute episodes. 
• Find information on marine pests in Aotearoa/New Zealand waters on NIWA’s Marine Biosecurity Porthole.
• Use the Good to Go education module which is a three-part education module on marine pests, aimed at years 5–8. Back up your learning with our Marine Pests in Canterbury video, and play our snakes and ladders style Sabella and macrocystis board game (PDF file, 1MB).
• Watch the Managing Wilding Conifers (10:18m), Working Together to Fight Wilding Conifers in the MacKenzie basin (3:24m), and Drone vs Wilding Pines (2:03m) videos to learn about the devastating impact of wilding pines.
• Learn about the impact that wallabies have in South Canterbury in the Towards Zero: A United Approach to New Zealand's Pest Wallaby Programme video, or spot the wallabies hiding in this Where's Wallaby poster (PDF file, 99KB).

What different cultural perspectives are there?

Explore how different perspectives shape our understanding of the environment. 

• Watch the Ngāi Tahu Mahinga Kai Web Series featuring 12 ten-minute episodes exploring the evolution of mahinga kai (food/resource-gathering) and learning about different species and their natural environment.
• Engage with your school’s unique Cultural Narrative, or explain your local rohe (area) and beyond with the Ngāi Tahu Ka Huru Mānu atlas.

What can we measure?

Explore ways to measure and understand what is happening in the environment. 

Environmental DNA is genetic material that is shed by organisms as they move in, though, and around their environment.

Use Wilderlab eDNA sampling kits to collect and analyse environmental data in a user-friendly way.