Engaging Parents in STEAM through the Monarch butterfly Jacquelyn Ledezma Maricela Martinez El Valor
Outcomes Learn about STEAM Learn about the Monarch Butterfly Learn about parental engagement activities
What is STEAM Science Technology Engineering Art Math Science & Technology, interpreted through Engineering & the Arts, all based in Mathematical elements.
STEAM STEAM is an acronym that represents how all topics in subject areas relate to each other and to the real world.
STEAM STEAM represents a paradigm shift from traditional education philosophy, based on standardized test scores, to a modern ideal which focuses on valuing the learning process as much as the results. In essence, we dare our students to be wrong, to try multiple ideas, listen to alternate opinions and create a knowledge base that is applicable to real life as opposed to simply an exam. Deron Cameron Former UPES Principal US's 1st STEAM Certified School Current TCSS Curriculum Coordinator
Activities
Monarch Butterfly 101
Monarch s Eggs
FIRST INSTAR LARVA Newly-hatched monarch larva is pale green, grayish Shiny and almost translucent No stripes 2-6 mm Time 1-3 days When the larva is born the first thing they eat is the egg shell. Feeds in a circular motion Drop off the leaf on a silk thread, hang suspended in the air.
SECOND INSTAR LARVA 6-9mm Time 1-3 days Color black or dark brown. Front tentacles are visible with the naked eye.
THIRD INSTAR 10-14 mm Time 1-3 days Color black and yellow bands. Front tentacles are larger then the back tentacles. Responds to disturbance by dropping off the leave curling into a tight ball, playing possum
13-25mm Time 1-3 days Color more distinct banding patterns First pair of legs closer to the head. The prolegs have white spots. *reproductive organs are visible in dissected third, fourth and fifth instars. FOURTH INSTAR
FIFTH INSTAR LARVA 25-45mm Time 3-5 days Colors more vivid. Yellow, white and black. Black bands look wider. Front legs are smaller then the other two pairs. Closer to de head. They move faster then the other instars
Pupa also known as the Chrysalis Monarchs usually do not pupate on milkweed usually wonder up several meters to find a spot Monarchs rely on camouflage coloration to protect themselves The time in this stage 8-15 days During this stage they do not feed Pupa
Adult Usually emerge in mid-morning Gives them a degree of protection from predators during the vulnerable preflight period Also to help them avoid desiccation that can occur during the hottest time of the day. Able to recognize that they will go into adult stage when pupa is very dark and the orange and black wings are visible Give the butterfly time for its wings to expand before holding it at least 3-4 hours
Primary job of the adult butterfly is to reproduce To mate and lay the eggs that will become the next generation Non-migratory last 2-6 weeks Migratory 7-9 months Distinguish male and female monarch because male monarchs have a dark spot on each hind wing Adult
Caring Tips
Where to keep your caterpillar (larva) Lab dishes Tupperware Clear cups The top of the containers should be closed to prevent larva from leaving the container. You can make small holes for air but larva do not need much air to live.
Leaves should be washed with water to make sure there is nothing in the leave. Check for spiders or insects that may be on the leave. Use wet paper towels to place them in between each leave. Place the leaves on a ziploc bag. Then refrigerate them for up to a week to keep them fresh. (Not in the freezer) How to store leaves
How to clean the container Because larva eat a lot they produce a lot of waste called frass. The frass must be cleaned out every day in order to prevent mold growth and to create a healthy environment for your caterpillar. You can clean the frass by simple taking out the leaves and larva from the container and dumping the frass in the garbage. If you want you may wash the container but you need to make sure there is not water left in the container this might cause mold to grow. Also make sure you know how many larvae you have before cleaning the container so you won t accidently throw away any of the larvae.
How you can handle larvae Larva are very susceptible to a variety of bacterial infections, including bacteria we all carry on our hands without knowing. You should wash hands before and after handling them You need to handle larva gently because they can be killed if their dropped even a small distance. When larva walk they may cling very tightly to the surface they are walking on so you have to be careful when you try to pull them off a surface they hold so tightly that you can rip their prologs off before they let go. If your are changing them from one leave to the other it is best to place new leave on the container and wait for larva to crawl onto the new plant. Then remove old leave. If larvae seem lethargic or have changed color do not handle them. They are probably preparing to form their chrysalis or going into a different stage. If a larva dies remove from container to prevent infection to other larvae.
Taking care of pupa (chrysalis) Pupa does not need food or water. Pupa should be kept in a warm place to help the process. Be sure they are hanged in a proper location for the butterfly to emerge. They should hang high enough so when the butterfly is born the tips of its wings will not touch the ground when they are fully expanded. If a new butterfly does not have enough vertical and horizontal space for its wings to expand and dry, its wing will not form correctly and the butterfly will not be able to fly. If a butterfly falls to the ground when it emerges, it will not be able to expand its wings and it will die. The pupa can be moved from the place where it originally pupated. Use a piece of string to hand the pupa from a high place.
When butterfly emerges Make sure you let it dry before you hold it. If you want to keep it for a few day you can feed it by Using fresh cut flowers Sponge with saturated in honey/water solution 2 parts honey to 8 parts water Fresh fruits Watermelon Honeydew Cantaloupe If you want to hold the butterfly You can place your finger or hand near the butterfly so it can crawl to your finger/hand. You can also grab the butterfly by the wings when their wings are closed
Fall migration Start migrating from Chicago by first week of September Have to be out of USA by the end of October They arrive in Michoacan by November 2 nd
Spring migration Butterflies leave by march 15th
Conservation Plant common milkweed
Using Monarchs to teach each area of STEAM
Parent Engagement Activities
Questions/Comments
Thank you
Contact Information El Valor Carlos H. Cantu center 2434 S. Kildare Ave. Chicago IL, 60623 Jacquelyn Ledezma Head Start Education supervisor Jacquelyn.ledezma@elvalor.net Maricela Martinez Early Head Start Education supervisor maricela.martinez@elvalor.net