Creator: Academy of Natural Sciences | visit site
Grade Range: 1 - 8
What can you do with butterflies? At this site you can test your "Butterfly Smarts" by choosing a level and answering questions to earn a butterfly badge. Correct answers are shown after you miss your only chance. Build a "Butterfly Habitat," by adding host plants, nectar plants, and landscaping to your field. You have a period of time to attract as many moths and butterflies as you can. You are limited in the amount of plants and may have to remove some in order to add another. Changes in butterfly and moth numbers are in real time in order to understand the ecosystem relationships. Information at the end reviews the butterflies attracted and recommendations for the future. Use the "Field" observation to identify the parts and uses of the Monarch butterfly. Learn about butterflies and "Climate Change" by answering questions and clicking on tabs to show the difference in temperatures over the years and in the projected future.
In the Classroom
While discussing ecosystems or insects, use this site to either introduce or reinforce information learned in class. Use the "Butterfly Habitat" to introduce ecosystem topics and help students understand the interactivity between plants and animals as well as population density issues. Have students work in groups to attract butterflies and identify factors and plants that attract the most. Follow up with research about native butterflies as well as plants they are attracted to. If a plot of land is available in the school or community, have students plan and build a butterfly habitat. Observe and count the butterfly visitors as an additional science project. Be sure to use digital pictures as part of your documentation. Perhaps create a wiki about your butterfly project.
At Home
Children love butterflies. Encourage their curiosity with the activities found on this site. Build a butterfly garden of your own after researching butterflies and plants for your specific area. Use the butterfly garden as a science fair project.
Tags
butterflies, ecosystems, insects,