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Alien detectives

There's a lot to learn about invasive non-native species so we've prepared a bundle of education resources for you. Suitable for all ages - and free to use!

We think everyone can learn about invasive non-native (Alien) species so we’ve put together a set of educational resources – ‘Alien Detectives’.  It’s full of exciting, challenging and fun activities for the young – and not so young!  

You’ll find presentations, activities, worksheets, quizzes, crafts, puzzles and games, all themed around invasive alien species and the river environment which you can download and share.

There’s an introductory presentation to start you off and all activities have notes and answer sheets to help you along – you don’t need any prior knowledge to use and enjoy them.  Activities can be done in groups e.g. a school class but many can be completed individually at home or in the outdoors.

When you’ve learned about invasive non-native species your teacher, group leader, mum, dad or carer can award you ‘Alien Detective’ status and download your hard earned Alien Detectives certificate. Or you could award it to yourself if you think you’re earned it! 
Alien detectives certificate

The activities are mostly, but not all, aimed at primary school students, but we think anyone with an interest in invasive species will enjoy and learn from them too.  Several activities could also be used if working towards a John Muir Award, to help you explore and conserve your wild space. 

The Alien Detectives resources are presented in sections.  Additional information is provided in links with background material and images, curriculum connections and to people who may be able to help support learning in a group or school setting.

You are welcome to copy and share these resources for personal and educational use. All content is ©Scottish Invasive Species Initiative. 

Section 1 : Discovering Aliens

So what is an Alien species anyway?  Can you tell the difference between an Alien and a native species and why are they important in conservation?  These activities will get you thinking about Alien species before you go on to learn more detail later.

  • 1.1 An introduction to alien species

    What is an alien species? What does invasive mean?
    Download the powerpoint presentation, press play and let us introduce the concepts of “aliens”, “non-native” and “invasive species” and look at some examples of aliens. (Indoor)

  • 1.2 Native or non-native? 

    See if you can identify whether these species are native or non-native with our quiz. We’ve described an interactive, fun way to play if you’ve got a group or class. (Indoor) 

  • 1.3 Scene of Crime report

    Working individually choose one alien species and research it, completing the Scene of Crime report. (Indoor)

  • 1.4 Alien bingo

    A great way to round off this session and have a bit of fun. Calling list and bingo cards to print off. (Indoor, 2+ people or group)

  • 1.5 Endangered species game

    A great game for introducing the concept of conservation, looking at what threats – like invasive species – are affecting our native and endangered species. (Group, hall or outdoor)

Section 2 : Alien Landings

In this session you’ll think about how the Aliens have travelled and landed!  Some have come a very long way……but who helped them?

  • 2.1 Around the world

    Where did they come from? This worksheet activity looks at where all these species travelled from around the world. (Indoor)

  • 2.2 Alien landings

    How and why did they get here?
    This is an active game to learn about the methods of non-native species introductions, but could easily be adapted to do as an individual quiz. (Group, hall or outdoor)

  • 2.3 Where in the world

    Do some research and then act out the journey and adventures of an alien species. (Indoor / Outdoor)

  • 2.4 Plant hunting adventures board game

    Head off on a dangerous exploration of foreign lands as a plant hunter in search of new plants! Let our fun board game introduce you to the Plant hunters and their discoveries and adventures.

  • 2.5 Plant collecting

    A worksheet activity about plant collecting that follows on from the boardgame.                                                                           

  • 2.6 Make a Wardian case

    The Wardian case (a terrarium) revolutionised plant collecting.  A practical activity to discover if and how the Wardian case worked.

Session 3 : The Alien Invasion

What makes a successful alien? These activities will help you explore what makes something “invasive”, what are typical invasive characteristics and traits and why they can make some species successful invaders.

  • 3.1 What makes a good invader

    Watch the powerpoint presentation and let us explain what are the typical invasive traits that an alien may have. (Indoor)

  • 3.2  Design your own alien species 

    Get creative and think about invasive characteristics by designing your own invasive species. What is it called? Where did it come from? (Indoor)

  • 3.3 Alien top trumps

    Print out our fantastic set of top trump cards, then cut up and play the game! Who is the most aggressive alien? Who grows the tallest? Who travelled the furthest?  There are separate sets of cards for animal and plant species (Indoor, 2-6 people)

  • 3.4 Impact of American mink

    A tag style game to illustrate the impact of a non-native invasive animal – the American mink – on native species (the water vole in this example). (Group)

Section 4 : Prevent the Alien take over

Do you know the things we can all do to help prevent, slow or stop the alien invasion?  Find out here.

Section 5. Capture some Aliens!

Alien species are often all around us.  Here are some practical outdoor things you can do to help find and remove the aliens. 

  • 5.1 Carry out an alien plant survey

    An activity to get your group thinking about surveying which can be used on any plants (not just alien ones) and in any location. (Outdoor)

  • 5.2 Remove some Himalayan balsam

    Time to get active, pull up some Himalayan balsam and make a difference in your local environment.  Don’t worry if you don’t know where to find any – there’s lots of help and advice in the notes. (Outdoor)

  • 5.3 Monitor a mink raft

    Get your group actively involved in monitoring for American mink by adopting a mink raft. You can do that with us or there may be organisations local to you who can lend you one and help set it up. Or, if you are really keen, you could make your own. (Outdoor)

  • 5.4 Set up a footprint trap

    Wondering what animals may live near you?  Why not make a simple footprint trap to try and find some animal footprints in the woods, garden or school grounds and find out (Outdoor)

Section 6. Explore your local river and countryside

Invasive alien species can have big impacts upon our natural environment and native species. A good Alien Detective needs to be able to understand the nature around them and so, in this section, we’re got lots of activities to help explore and investigate your local countryside.

Several of the most invasive aliens (giant hogweed, Himalayan balsam, Japanese knotweed and American mink) are often associated with the river environment and riverbanks, so there are several activities to try around the river.

In the additional information section there are contacts for our team, river and fishery trusts, countryside rangers and others who might be able to help with some of these activities e.g. river dipping and electrofishing.

 

  • 6.1 River dipping

    Explore your local river or pond and discover the creatures of the deep – what beasties lurk in the water? You’ll be amazed to discover all sorts of freshwater invertebrates. (Outdoor – pond/river)

  • 6.2 Electrofishing

    Arrange an electrofishing demonstration and you’ll be able to see and learn about all the types of fish living in a river. (Outdoor – river)

  • 6.3 Wildlife recording

    Find out how and where to record the wildlife you see while you are out and about. Did you know there is a GB database that holds all the records? Have a go at submitting a wildlife record. (Indoor)

  • 6.4 Caught on camera

    Set up a wildlife trail camera and see what photographs of elusive wildlife you can capture. We’ve included lots of handy hints of how and where to set your camera. (Outdoor)

  • 6.5 Pooh sticks and flow rate

    Have a bit of fun with this old favourite and then add in some science to calculate the flow rate of your river or stream. (Outdoor – river)

  • 6.6 Tracks and signs

    What tracks, trails and signs of animals can you find while out and about? Tracking is an essential skill for finding out if native or non-native animals are present in an area, so learn to read the signs! (Outdoor)

  • 6.7 Sound map

    A great activity to help you use a different sense to explore the countryside around you by spending some time listening and quietly producing a sound map. (Outdoor)

Section 7. Activities, Games and Puzzles

These invasive species themed activities, games and puzzles are great to reinforce what you’ve already learned about aliens – or just do them for fun! There are activities and craft to make, games to play with a friend and lots of puzzles to solve.

Perfect for an Alien Detective to brush up on their invasive non-native species knowledge.

Download your certificate!

Don't forget to download and award your Alien Detective certificate

Alien detective certificate

Additional Information

We hope you enjoy being an Alien Detective.  If you have questions or want to suggest other activities we could add to these resources you can contact us by email at  sisi@nature.scot