Zoom In, Zoom Out


Classroom view

Activity overview

Science topics:

Animals, including humans

Take a much closer look at this familiar object. Can your class use their reasoning skills to work out what it is?

Run the activity


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?

Background science

You can tell dogs apart using their nose-prints in the same way we tell humans apart with their finger prints. That’s right, no two dog nose prints are the same! If you look closely at a dog’s nose, you will see lines forming a pattern, much like our finger prints! What else is special about a dog’s nose? They can breathe in and out at the same time whereas we can only do one or the other. Their sense of smell is a lot stronger than ours which is why we give them special jobs to help keep us safe.  

Take it further

Lots of animals have special markings. Encourage reasoning by asking your children to decide which is the Odd One Out with Mystery markings

Ask your children to ponder this question: What if we couldn’t smell things? 


Image: © Wellcome Trust