Teacher guide · Curious Lab · Harder · about 40 min
🧪 Adaptation Expedition
Pupils practise curiosity through "Adaptation Expedition": Connect animal features to survival in habitats.
Lesson guide
1. Hook · 5 min
Show the 🧪 mission title and read the opening: "Why can white fur help an Arctic animal?". Take three quick guesses.
2. Model · 5 min
Think aloud through the first step together. Use Sniff the Beagle's line as your prompt: "Great question! Ready to dig one layer deeper? Pick your next mission below."
3. Do · 15 min
Pairs work through the 5 steps on screen or on the printed sheet. Circulate and ask "why?"
4. Discuss · 10 min
Use two or three of the discussion questions. Ask pairs to share different answers, not just correct ones.
5. Reflect · 5 min
Exit ticket: one sentence on how they used curiosity today.
Discussion questions
- What was the hardest choice in "Adaptation Expedition", and why?
- Why can white fur help an Arctic animal — explain your reasoning to a partner.
- A cactus stores water because… — explain your reasoning to a partner.
- What is an inherited adaptation — explain your reasoning to a partner.
- Where could you use curiosity outside school this week?
- If you did this again, what would you change?
Adapting it
Support: Read prompts aloud, pair with a confident partner, and accept spoken or drawn answers for writing steps.
Stretch: Ask pupils to create their own extra step for a partner and explain the correct answer.
Curriculum links
- National Curriculum: Science: working scientifically plus the year-group topic
- National Curriculum: Science: working scientifically — asking questions and observing
- National Curriculum: Geography/History: enquiry and using sources
- PSHE: Living in the wider world: media literacy and checking information
Pupil sheet
🧪 Adaptation Expedition
Name: ____________________ Date: __________
1. Why can white fur help an Arctic animal?
☐ Camouflage against snow
☐ It makes snow warm
☐ It stops the Sun shining
2. A cactus stores water because…
☐ Deserts have no sunlight
☐ Plants never need water
☐ Rain can be scarce in its habitat
3. What is an inherited adaptation?
☐ A coat an animal buys
☐ A feature passed through generations that helps survival
☐ A skill every animal chooses instantly
4. Connect the clues to their meanings.
Webbed feet → ________________
Thick insulating fur → ________________
Camouflaged colouring → ________________
5. Design an imaginary animal for a cold habitat. Explain three adaptations and the problems they solve.