Class Menu

All classes are based on Colorado State Model Content Standards and Core Knowledge guidelines and incorporate life science with other disciplines such as literacy, geography and math.  Classroom time is 35-45 minutes and all classes involve live invertebrate animal interactions. 

One of four class options to fit your classroom studies: 

Buggy Basics (Prek-12th grade recommended)
Of all the animal species on earth, an astounding 97% are estimated to be invertebrates (no backbone).  However, because of their size and diversity of habitats, they are often overlooked.  Explore the world of insects and their closest relatives – the arthropods - who make up 80% of the species in the animal kingdom!  Uncover the defining characteristics of insects, arachnids, centipedes, millipedes and crustaceans.  Discover their similarities and differences as you interact with and observe a variety of live mini beasts in the classroom! Colorado Standards/Benchmarks Met:  Science 1, 3.1.2, 3.1.3, 3.1.4, 3.2.1, 3.3.3, 3.4.1, 3.4.3, Literacy 4, Geography 1, 3, Literacy 4, Math 3

Life Cycles (K-12th grade recommended)
How does life cycle?  Insects of all kinds undergo incredible changes as they mature – these changes are called metamorphosis.  Explore complete metamorphosis through observations of the mealworm life cycle and compare these life stages to butterflies and grasshoppers.  Do all insects change in the same way?  Colorado Standards/Benchmarks Met:  Science 1, 3.1.2, 3.1.3, 3.1.4, 3.2.1, 3.3.3, 6.3, Literacy 4

Insect Inquiry (1st-12th grade recommended)
Experience live insects up close and personal!  Uncover the unique characteristics of insects while observing one of our classroom touch animals.  In this inquiry-based class, students lead the discussion by posing questions, making observations and communicating possible conclusions about their insect.  Colorado Standards/Benchmarks Met:  Science 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 3.1.1, 3.1.2, 3.4.1, 3.4.2, 5.4, 6.1, 6.2, Literacy 4, Math 3, 5

Habitat Happenings (2nd-5th grade recommended)
What makes a good home?    Explore the living and non-living components of a habitat while focusing on invertebrate life, including insects.  Who lives there?  The importance of these creatures is far-reaching - invertebrates assist in the decomposition of plant and animal material and fill a vital role in the food web of nearly every ecosystem.  Discover what would happen in a habitat without invertebrates like insects and arachnids!   Colorado Standards/Benchmarks Met:  Science 1, 3.1.1, 3.1.3, 3.1.4, 3.2.1, 3.2.2, 3.4.3, 6.4, Literacy 4, Geography 2, 3, 6