Butterwalkers
Every spring Carolina ships thousands of boxes of butterfly larvae all over the country. Most of those larvae become butterflies with no issues, but every once in a while, we get comments like this one: “I order my painted lady butterfly larvae every year from Carolina as part of my 2nd grade teaching curriculum. The […]
Getting Ready for Butterflies
The painted lady butterfly (Vanessa cardui), commonly found throughout North America in open deserts, fields, and roadsides, is one of the most popular insects for classrooms. It is frequently referred to as the “cosmopolitan” because of its wide distribution. In this article, we’ll discuss the painted lady’s life cycle and care and feeding. You’ll see […]
Comparative Metamorphosis
A Carolina EssentialsTM Investigation Total Time: 30 mins Prep: 30 mins | Activity: 20 – 30 mins Life Science 5-8 Elementary | Middle School Overview This change-over-time, construction of an explanation activity serves 2 purposes. First, students observe development of 3 different insects from the larva or nymph stage through the adult stage. Second, students […]
Which Leaf Shape Can Hold the Most Butterfly Eggs?
A Carolina EssentialsTM Activity Total Time: 30 minutes Prep: 30 mins | Activity: 30 mins Life Science K-5 Elementary School Overview This is an elementary-level inquiry activity for students to investigate the relationship between leaf shape and the number of butterfly eggs that can be laid on a leaf. Students will build on their knowledge […]
Butterfly Necklace
In Booth Demo Life Science K-12 Elementary / High School Students gain an understanding of the life cycle of the painted lady butterfly. They observe the growth and development of a larva in the butterfly necklace, a miniature habitat in which the larva eats, grows, molts, and forms a chrysalis. Then, they transfer the chrysalis […]
Bees, Butterflies, and Flowers
Background Spring’s arrival is marked by days that start to grow longer, temperatures that begin to rise, and the many plants that awake from their winter sleep. Certain species of flowering plants start to develop beautiful blooms and love is in the air. At first look, one might think nature is simply showing off with […]
Care Guides for Living Organisms
Care Guides forLiving Organisms View Guides Care Guides forLiving Organisms View Guides Helping you provide the right care for your critters. Using living organisms for labs and instruction can greatly enhance and extend student learning. Whether you’re using microorganisms for an experiment, raising and crossing Wisconsin Fast Plants®, or keeping an aquarium full of fish […]