Zoom In, Zoom Out

Swirly structure

Zoom in

Zoom out

Classroom view

Activity overview

15 mins
Ages 7 – 9

Science topics:

Living things and their habitats

Take a closer look at this insect-made structure by zooming in and out to see it differently. Can your class use their reasoning skills to work out what it is?

Run the activity

You will be zooming in and out of the image above – starting very close and stepping back slowly.

1. Start by asking everyone:

  • What do they think the image is and why?
  • What does the image remind them of and why?

2. Every time you zoom out, ask the class:

  • Can they describe the colours, shapes and textures?
  • What do they think the image is now – have they changed their minds?

Background science

Some wasps build their nests from paper, by turning raw wood into pulp. Find out more about how wasps DIY their homes with this guide from the Natural History Museum.

Take it further

This video shows a wasp's nest built against a window, giving a cross-section view which clearly shows the structure of the nest.

From birds' nests to spider webs, ask your children what other animals build their homes. 

Wasps are useful pollintaors. Have you seen our odd one out activity friends of flowers

Image credit: Wellcome; Joren de Groof via Flickr CC BY 2.0