BEYE Discovery: Insectigations: Insect Collection Cases

Post Contributed by Jocelyne Adkins, Program Director/Educator

For the week of September 4th through the 7th, our weekly theme was "Insects". On September 4th, we focused our attention on honey bees, inspired by a children's book titled "UnBEElievables" by Douglas Florian. Each colorful page is illustrated in a fun and loose style to connect with children's imaginations. The rhyming prose educates readers about honey bee culture.

Honey Bee Watercolors with bees facts (in circles)

For our project, our students created bee-utiful watercolor illustrations, illuminating the variety of tasks honey bees have within the hive culture. These illustration are exhibited just outside the Beye office (on the west wall) and are accompanied by a colorful paper circle revealing an important honey-bee fact. Do stop by the display to see them in person.

Honey Bee Watercolors with bee facts (in circles)

Below are amazing insect collection cases created by Kristian S., dad to Leila and Cassandra, when Kristian was in 6th grade! He and his father carefully worked to collect and preserve these specimens for study. We are so fortunate to have benefited from their scientific inquiry!

Butterfly & Moth Collection Case, created by Kristian S., dad to Leila & Cassandra

Moth Collection Case, created by Kristian S., dad to Leila & Cassandra

Beetle Collection Case, detail, created by Kristian S. dad to Leila & Cassandra

We introduced and displayed Kristian's collection cases as inspiration for our own creative "insectigations", and also read "The Icky Bug Alphabet Book" by Jerry Pallotta and Ralph Masiello. What child isn't fascinated by a wonderfully curious looking insect? For their project, students selected an insect and created their own collection cases, using small granola bar and cracker boxes and collaging into them a minimum of 3 examples of their chosen insect. Please scroll down to view their work!