New Class Nature-inspired Lessons: Lesson 3
Teamwork -Nest Quest
Learning Objectives:
- To understand that nature is full of impressive teamwork, where animals collaborate to raise young, find food and protect each other
- To identify what is needed to be a good team player so that a collective goal can be achieved
Did you know?
In the natural world, teamwork is everywhere. Ants build vast colonies, where each member has a specific role. Wolves hunt in coordinated packs to bring down prey too large for one. Dolphins work together to corral fish into enormous bait balls, and meerkats take turns standing guard to protect the family group. Even plants and fungi form underground networks so that they can share nutrients and information.
By pooling strengths, dividing tasks and communicating effectively, living things achieve what would be impossible alone.
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Having watched the video clip and read the ‘Did you know?’ information, use the Time to Talk ‘Hands Down Class Discussion’ prompt below to discuss the following questions:
- Why was teamwork important for the clownfish to achieve their goal?
- What specific teamwork skills did the clownfish show when moving the coconut shell?
- Should all of the clownfish featured in the clip have helped with moving the coconut shell? Why or why not?
– Hands Down Class Discussion (Click the 🗣️)
Recommended Activities:
Teamwork – Nest Quest
“Teamwork makes the dream work!”
Your Task
In teams of 3–4, design and build a strong, safe nest that can hold an egg (or another object representing an egg) without it breaking.
Materials provided (each team gets the same set):
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Lengths of string
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Strips of paper
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Pipe cleaners or straws
Rules:
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No glue or sticky tape allowed.
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Your nest must be placed at least 1.5 metres above the ground.
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Work together – everyone has an important role!
Top Tip: Watch how weaver birds build their nests for inspiration.
End-of-Lesson Reflection
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Each team member rates themselves on the Teamwork Power Scale (0 = not a team player, 100 = perfect team player).
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Share a success story with the class – something you said or did that helped your team succeed.
