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Objectives: Students are going to help scientists learn more about butterflies and the
environment by observing butterflies in an observation space for 15 minutes. Students
are able to learn knowledge about citizen science and methods of scientific research.
Grade Level: 6th Grade
Time: 60 min
Materials: Identification posters (Butterfly charts). One computer with internet
access. Hats, sun glasses.( depends)
Resources: Scistarter. (n.d.) Big Butterfly Count. Retrieved from:
http://scistarter.com/project/639-Big%20Butterfly%20Count
Teaching Standards:
Michigan Curriculum Standards:
Science Education
S.IP.04.12.: Inquiry involves generating questions, conducting investigations, and
developing solutions to problems through reasoning and observation.
ISTE Standards:
ISTE 1. a.: Promote, support, and model creative and innovative thinking and
inventiveness.
ISTE 1. b.: Engage students in exploring real-world issues and solving authentic
problems using digital tools and resources.
minutes observations?
C. Talking about safety rules. (Following the team, stay in the certain area, following
instructions, etc.) Using safe transportation to go to the observation space.
Additional Notes:
1. Safety of students. When the instructor chooses a public space (Ex. Local park) for
students to observe butterflies, make sure there will be at least two or more adults
(teachers) who are taking care of all the students at the same time. (Traffic, every
child stays in the group and stays in the field space, report anything suspicious, etc)
Using school bus as safe transportation if the observation space is far from school.
2. Health concerns. Be sure to know each students health conditions such as allergy
to flowers/grasses, etc. (Choose another observation space for students have special
needs, such as the school playground. ) Be sure to check the weather report. Sunny
weather observation is preferred. Make sure each student has enough protection from
sun burn. (Hats, sun glasses, etc) Monitor each student in the field during the field
activity. If there is any student have symptom of sunstroke, make sure he/she drink
enough salty water and rest in the shades or go to a hospital for proper treatment.
3. Parents involvement. Having a teacher-parents meeting before the butterfly
observation. Make sure all the parents fully aware of the place of observation, time of
the meeting, and the background of this citizen science project. Explaining how the
citizen science observation data will be used. Be sure to ask for parents permission for
each student who wants to join the field observation. Notify parents that they are
welcome to join the project and stay with their children during butterfly observation.
4. Students online security. Instructors will collect the butterfly chart from each
student and enter all the data to the counting website. Instructors will provide
anonymous guest accounts access for the data entry account. Parents and students are
able to find out the results of their butterfly observations by using these anonymous
accounts.