Age Suitability: P4 - P7
Availability: Edinburgh Zoo, Highland Wildlife Park
Lesson Duration: 1 hour 50 minutes
Content:
An introduction to reproduction, growth and development. Pupils find out about the changes that take place in animals as they develop sexual maturity.
Lesson Outline:
Join us on a journey through our zoo to explore the exciting world of animal reproduction. Discover how the growth and development of species in the animal kingdom compare to the changes humans experience as they go through puberty and reach sexual maturity. This lesson has been specifically designed with City of Edinburgh Council to de-personalise the topics of sex education and bring this part of the curriculum to life. The 'Cycle of Life' lesson was the recipient of a Silver BIAZA Education Award in 2019 for demonstrating long-lasting impact on participant learning.
Learning Outcomes:
- To recognise the physical changes that take place during puberty
- To understand menstruation and the female reproductive cycle
- To understand sperm production and the significance of mating
- To understand development of the young during pregnancy and egg incubation, including birth and hatching
- To recognise different forms of parental care, including feeding and lactation
Curriculum for Excellence Outcomes:
- SCN 2-14a ‘By investigating lifecycles of plants and animals, I can recognise the different stages of their development.’
- SCN 3-14a ‘I understand the processes of fertilisation and embryonic development and can discuss possible risks to the embryo.’
