Austin Road’s first graders recently had the exciting opportunity to dive into the fascinating world of insects, thanks to a special visit from Rebekah Turner, an environmental educator from PNW BOCES.
Through an engaging presentation and hands-on activities, the students learned about the unique characteristics that entomologists use to identify insects, and how they differ from their close relatives, spiders. Turner taught the first graders a fun song to help them remember the key features of insects, including six legs, three body segments (head, thorax and abdomen), antennae and sometimes wings.
The students became amateur entomologists as they explored the important roles insects play in our ecosystems, distinguishing between helpful and harmful species. After the discussion, the first graders worked with their peers in small groups to visit various stations where they observed insect specimens, sorted animal species and met live insect ambassadors, several Madagascar hissing cockroaches.
The interactive experience not only deepened the students’ understanding of insects, but also sparked their curiosity about the world around them.
