Environmental Investigation Worksheet

Name:

Date:

Class:

Environmental investigation illustration

🎯 WALT & Success Criteria

WALT: Use scientific observation and data collection to investigate a local environmental feature or issue, and draw conclusions about environmental impact and sustainability.

Success Criteria — I can:

☐ Make accurate observations and record data clearly

☐ Identify patterns or trends in my collected data

☐ Explain how human activity impacts the local environment

☐ Suggest at least one realistic sustainability action

🔍 Part 1: Observation & Data Collection

Go outside or use your assigned investigation area. Carefully observe your environment and record your findings below.

1. What environmental feature or issue are you investigating? (e.g. school garden, stream, rubbish, plant biodiversity)

2. Record your observations in the table below. Aim for at least 4 observations.

Location: ___________________________ Temperature: ________°C Weather: ___________________________

Observation 1: ___________________________________________________________________________

Observation 2: ___________________________________________________________________________

Observation 3: ___________________________________________________________________________

Observation 4: ___________________________________________________________________________

3. Sketch what you observed in the box below. Label at least 2 key features.

4. Which of the following did you observe? Tick ALL that apply.

Litter or rubbish

Native plants or animals

Signs of erosion or soil damage

Water (stream, puddles, drainage)

Evidence of human activity (tracks, structures, signs)

Introduced or invasive species

📊 Part 2: Analysis & Reflection

5. What is the biggest environmental issue you noticed in your investigation area? Explain using evidence from your observations.

6. Do you think human activity has had a positive, negative, or mixed impact on this environment? Circle your answer and explain why.

Positive

Negative

Mixed (both positive and negative)

Explanation:

7. Suggest ONE realistic action that students or the school community could take to improve the sustainability of this environment.

8. Reflection: What is one thing that surprised you during your investigation? What would you do differently if you investigated again?

🌱 Differentiation & Extension

🤝 Support Strategies

If you need extra help, try these strategies:

• Use the sentence starters provided by your teacher to help structure your written answers.

• Work with a buddy to share observations — record your own, but discuss ideas together.

• Focus on Questions 1–5 first. Check with your teacher before moving on.

• Use diagrams or labelled drawings instead of full sentences where helpful.

🚀 Extension Activities

Finished early? Challenge yourself with one or more of these:

Extension A: Create a simple tally chart or bar graph using your observation data. What patterns can you identify?

Extension B: Research one native New Zealand species (plant or animal) that could benefit from improvements to the environment you investigated. Write 3–4 sentences explaining how the changes you suggested in Question 7 would help this species.

Extension C: Design a short 30-second "sustainability pitch" to present to your class. What is the problem, and what is your solution? Outline your key points below.