Learning activities/Bug Blitz

Introduction

The Bug Blitz is the idea of renowned naturalist and scholar Professor Edward O. Wilson of Harvard University. Students and teachers combine to focus on the issues that surround biodiversity. No prior experience is necessary for this activity. The only requirements are curiosity and collaboration-- and, of course, the XO.

Students will work with each other to collect, describe, record, and compare the living and non-living things in their particular "hot spot." They will identify issues, create new ways to present their information, and deliver messages about knowledge gained. In addition, they will develop a whole new appreciation and respect for bugs. Combining the arts and science in this way will allow students to develop an understanding of biodiversity as well as help their region have a sustainable future.

The Bug Blitz Challenge

Teams of students will work together to collect photos and other evidence of bugs, create a multimedia presentation of their group's journey, and present their finished product to the rest of the class.

Activity: Browsing for Bugs

1. Use Browse to find a story about a bug. Read the story as a class.
2. Work together to describe the bug in the story. Keep a list of new bug words.
3. On your own, use Draw to draw a picture of the bug in the story.
4. Share your picture with the class, using some new bug words to describe your creation.

Activity: Before the Blitz

1. Decide on a location for your Bug Blitz-- any outdoor area will do! Some suggestions include: a schoolyard, a soccer field, a local forest or park.
2. As a class, discuss the natural features of your Bug Blitz location.
3. Divide into groups and decide on a "hot spot" for each group. Discuss the natural boundaries of each "hot spot" in each group and as a class.

Activity: Bug Blitz!

1. As a class, take a field trip to your Bug Blitz destination.
2. Divide into groups according to hot spot and explore the area for evidence of bugs.
3. Use Capture to take a photo or video of each bug you see, as well as each significant natural feature.
4. Use Write to take notes about each photo and record other observations.

Activity: Bug Stories

1. In groups, share your pictures from the Bug Blitz.
2. For each bug, use Write to record its story-- where you found it, what it looked like, and what it was doing.
3. Use Draw to draw pictures of any bugs you couldn't photograph but would still like to record.
4. Use Collage to create a collage for your group's hot spot.
5. Use your favorite email application to email your collage to Bug Blitz central. Or, you can use Browse to upload your collage to this wiki.

Note to Teachers

The E.O. Wilson Foundation is interested in hearing from Bug Blitzes around the world. To send your bug stories to the Bug Blitz central, visit the contact page of the E.O. Wilson Foundation web site.

Connect with the World

Now that you've held a Bug Blitz in your class...

• Consider holding a Bug Blitz for each class in your school.
• Share the stories from your Bug Blitz with other schools in your country.
• Upload your Bug Stories to a map of the world.

Participating Classrooms

• Mrs. Drexler's Third Grade Class. Shorecrest Preparatory School, St. Petersburg, Florida. Children worked with partners in the Shorecrest garden to photograph bugs in their natural environment. It was a great opportunity to learn about the macro setting on the digital camera, too. Contact: wdrexler@gmail.com