Describes activities that test the preferences of stimuli of small insects such as light, sound, smell, and temperature. Experiments are carried out through the use of controlled and independent variables and a simple inexpensive apparatus. (DKM)

Presents an example of an authentic inquiry-based investigation of living organisms that can be easily performed in a school setting or students' neighborhood using pillbugs. Students observe, ask questions, collect data, classify and compare, measure, and analyze data to draw conclusions about pillbug behavior. (SAH)

Describes methods and procedures for killing, preserving, mounting, and displaying insects. (JR)

In this insect morphology exercise, students study the external anatomy of the worker honeybee. The structures listed and illustrated are discussed in relation to their functions. A goal of the exercise is to establish the bee as a well-adapted, social insect. (MA)

Describes three census activities concerning birds and butterflies that involve students in the actual collection of biological data. A Project Feederwatch data form is also included. (ZWH)

Collecting, handling, and preserving insects reveals many things which books fail to cover, and field trips often prove to be excellent catalysts in developing young entomologists. (Author/DF)

Describes field and classroom activities to conduct investigations of insects that emphasize capture and release rather than capture for semipermanent collections. Provides contact information for the Young Entomologists' Society, Inc. (JRH)

Thirteen suggestions for student research projects are presented. Project topics include birds, fish, frogs or toads, insects, spiders, crustaceans, mammals, predators, and ecology. The teacher's role in managing student projects is discussed. A list of middle school textbook resources is provided. (KR)

Instructions are given for care of the giant hissing cockroach, "Gromphadorhina portentosa" from Malagasy. Reproductive behavior is described, as well as development of the young roaches. (SA)

Describes three inquiry-based activities designed for students to begin to understand complex environmental relationships in their own backyard. Includes investigations of ants, which allow students to establish a baseline survey of ant fauna, test the importance of ants in nutrient cycling and soil structure maintenances, and increase student…

Describes the construction and observation of beehives. (SL)

Briefly described are 25 "hands on" classroom activities which require live, freshly killed, or preserved grasshoppers. Topics of activities include predator-prey relationships, feeding habits, locomotion, dissection, anatomy, and population estimates. (DS)

Presented are activities in which students can observe dragonflies in their natural environment, capture them for examination, or make dragonfly models. Background information, directions for a field observation activity and making the models, and benefits of dragonfly study are included. (KR)