Bug Hunter's: Butterfly Conservatory Program

We LOVE Bugs!

We've returned with bells on to the second semester of the Butterfly Conservatory Home School Program.

Once monthly, they offer an amazing 2-hour program for all ages at a great price.

WE LOVE THIS CLASS!

Today my hands were too tied up to take many pictures. 

We were dressing and undressing children for the outdoor portion of the class, where we took a Field Trip, literally, into the forest to look for where bugs go in the winter. We all located Galls http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gall where insects make temporary homes on plant life. One family found a Tiger Moth whose body produces glycerol that works as 'antifreeze' allowing them to survive cold temperatures http://insects.about.com/od/adaptations/p/wintersurvival.htm

The facilitator talked about the different ways insects can survive in the cold weather: 

1) hibernation ('torpor'), 

2) eggs/larvae/pupa-chrysalis ('diapause' or a long term state of suspension), 

3) migration (Monarch's headed to Mexico) 

4) and the antifreeze method; producing extra sugars to survive the outdoors

O was actually soaking in all this information and gave us a detailed private class at dinnertime! 

(Most of the above, I had to look up!)

The class is so well done, as it caters to various ages from Baby C all the way up to attending grandparents. There are active portions, listening periods, questioning opportunities, field observation, conservatory observation and hands-on activities. Likely the best $8 we spend on education each month.