Bugs and Butterflies

Move over birds, the bugs are moving in!

According to the results of Mr. Casey’s eighth grade science researchers, invertebrates (that’s bugs to most folks) may be the most populous species on Wright’s Field. This semester, students were teamed with an insect expert, Michael Klein, who generously offered his time and talent, to educate this class on insect orders, observational techniques and recording and classification of photographically documented specimens. Download the growing list of inveterbrates (28 kb) found on the preserve.

In December, the Back Country Land Trust, with our eighth grade partners and entomologist Michael Klein, celebrated their service learning project on invertebrate species. As students enjoyed a Pizza Party they shared the results of their data collection and documentation of invertebrate populations. Asked to evaluate this hands-on service learning, on a scale of one to five, most students responded with votes in the four and five range. That’s pretty impressive for middle school!