Students experience a metamorphosis at Botanical Center
From Mexico to Canada and back, Explore’s International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme (PYP) Life Lab students got a hands-on, up-close look at the life of butterflies when they visited Springfield-Greene County Botanical Center in Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park.
Students learned about the life cycle of a butterfly through games and presentations as part of their Explore summer learning program. Representatives from the Springfield-Greene County Park Board led the students throughout their visit, including a relay race where students representing butterflies carried a white ball representing an egg from one end (Mexico) to the other (Canada), picking up colored balls (pollen) from flowers along the way. Once they dropped their white ball in Canada they sprinted back to Mexico to pass their bucket to the next butterfly racer.
Inside the Roston Native Butterfly House, students saw real-life caterpillars, chrysalises and butterflies. A few patient students even had a butterfly land on their hand for a closer look. The butterfly house also showed living examples of what butterflies eat, with plants chosen specifically for the beautiful creatures.
These kinds of activities and learning opportunities are a testament to the power of partnership and community in education. Thanks to the support of the Springfield-Greene County Park Board, SPS students enjoyed this scientific experience.
