Butterfly Life Cycle Lab

Why we should use it?

• Animals and insects go through stages of life that are different than humans, this gives students the opportunity to physically see and make the changes the insect goes through.

NGSS: 2-LS4-1: Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity.
Students who demonstrate understanding can make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.

Objectives

• TSW research the life of a butterfly and gather information on each of the four stages of their life cycle.
• TSW construct the life cycle of researched butterfly

Materials

• Pastas for each stage of life https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfeB-74cgWc
• Paper
• Coloring Tools
• Glue

Safety Precautions

• Though the pasta is normally for eating, for this lab it will only be used for materials.
• All materials will be used in one area and for the construction of the life cycle only.

Steps:

• Research a butterfly and their stages of life.
• Use one pasta type for each life stage, coloring it as necessary.
• Glue the pasta to paper and for each one briefly describe the stage each pasta represents.

Adaptations

Modification:
If you have students that have trouble completing the entire project, have them construct the entire life cycle by gluing and labeling each stage, but become an expert in only of the stages of the cycle and describe that stage on paper.