A creative way to learn about biosecurity
Build‑a Super Aquatic Pest is a free, curriculum‑aligned learning activity supported by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry for Years 3-5 that supports students to learn about aquatic pests, how they spread, and why biosecurity matters.
Through this activity, students design a fictional aquatic pest using science, art and literacy skills to explore real‑world concepts such as pest impacts, prevention, and shared responsibility. All pests are imaginary, and the focus is on learning and creativity.
Build‑a Super Aquatic Pest supports learning in Science, HASS, Design and Technologies and is designed to be easy for teachers to implement, with ready‑to‑use classroom resources and no specialist equipment required. Teachers can run it as a single lesson or as part of a longer unit.
Aquatic pests pose a real risk to northern Australia’s rivers, wetlands, coastlines and industries. This activity helps students understand how everyday actions can help protect waterways, farms and the environment.
Download the free resources
All resources are free to download:
- Teacher booklet – includes teacher guide, curriculum links, background on biosecurity and pests and information for parents/caregivers
- Student booklet – includes information on biosecurity and pests, activity instructions and worksheet
- Fillable student certificate to award to students for completing the activity.
These resources are designed to be class‑ready and require no specialist equipment.
Frequently Asked Questions
A classroom activity where students design a fictional aquatic pest to learn how pests spread, cause damage and how biosecurity helps prevent risks. The focus is on learning and creativity.
Aquatic pests spread easily through water, boats and human activity. Once established, they can damage waterways, native species, food production and recreation. This is especially important in northern Australia.
- Teachers and students in Years 3-5
- Schools across Northern Territory, Western Australia and Queensland, including regional and remote areas
The activity suits mixed‑ability classes and can be run as a single lesson or extended unit.
- Science: Students explore how living things have features and behaviours that support survival, how organisms interact with environments, and how science is used to understand and manage issues such as pests and biosecurity.
- HASS: Students examine connections between people, places and environments, exploring how issues like aquatic pests affect communities, industries and sustainability, and how individuals and groups contribute to responsible environmental decision‑making.
- Design and Technologies: Students apply design processes to communicate understanding by creating purposeful drawings and explanations, using topic‑specific language and considering how visual designs can inform and influence others.
Curriculum links are included in the Teacher Guide.
For reporting suspected exotic pests and diseases call:
- Exotic or emergency plant pests: 1800 084 881 (Exotic Plant Pest Hotline)
- For suspected exotic diseases in animals:1800 675 888
Please email NABS@aff.gov.au with any questions.