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Perth Zoo
The program "Butterfly Magic" fits into the Science learning area under Growth, Reproduction and Change.
The session starts with student centred discussion on the life cycle of butterflies using magnetic pictures. Costumes are then distributed and the story begins.
Eggs
Children are introduced to the concept of a rainforest as two children become the leaves on a rainforest tree. Aspects of the egg phase that are covered in the story are:
- the way the female selects the "host" plant
- that the leaf protects the eggs from heavy rain and predators
- many eggs are laid and they are spread out over many leaves/plants.
Caterpillar
Caterpillars emerge from their eggs by eating their way out, then move to the rainforest trees to eat. Once they have finished eating and growing we discuss protection in caterpillars including:
- warning colours
- camouflage
- pseudo eyes
- hairs and bristles.
Chrysalis
The pupal stage is an immobile, non-feeding stage. The aspects covered are basically to do with protection:
- camouflage
- warning colours
- the way the adult can be seen developing within the chrysalis.
Butterfly
The emergence of the butterflies is set and timed by the music on the "Butterfly" tape. Once the butterflies have emerged they fly though the rainforest. As a group we admire their colours, the delicate flight, see how they rest. After a minute or two of flight butterflies come to rest and we explore the special features of butterflies - protective devices such as:
- warning colours
- camouflage
- pseudo eyes on wings
- sexual dimorphism in the Cairns Birdwing.
Nectar feeding is covered using a colourful fabric flower and a children's party blower as a proboscis. The butterfly's role in pollination and why it is important is covered.
The lesson concludes with a review of the butterflies featured in the story using the specimens in the butterfly box. The special features covered in the lesson can be re emphasised. If butterfly life span is relevant to the group it is covered at this point.
The lesson concludes with a quick discussion of what we can do to help butterflies including:
- planting host plants for caterpillars
- planting lots of nectar producing flowers
- avoiding the use of chemicals
- not touching or catching butterflies.
Kindergarten, Pre Primary, and Year 1.
30 - 40 minutes.
AU$8.00 per student (includes zoo entrance).
Initially there was concept development and design research for the costumes. The butterflies chosen for inclusion into the program, were ones that the zoo featured in the Butterfly House and that had interesting or important messages or aspects to their life cycle.
Sufficient costumes were made to enable each child in the class to have a costume. One egg, two large fabric leaves, eight caterpillars, eight chrysalis and eight butterflies plus a flower to address nectar feeding.
Butterfly Magic is featured in the Perth Zoo website under Education. It is also featured in the Science Learning Area Overview brochure that is sent to all schools. The experience has also been advertised in "School Matters", a government newspaper for all school teachers. Word of mouth has also been a very effective means of marketing this product.
This program requires one Education Officer to conduct the experience.
Initially the program was designed to support and promote the "Lotteries" Butterfly House exhibit. The Butterfly House is not currently part of the Zoo's exhibitory, but the popularity of the program and the links to the Science Learning Area has ensured its continuation.
Butterfly costumes, magnetic images of the life cycle discussion, a musical tape "Butterfly" by Jeff Clarkson and a "Butterfly Box" which has various specimens for the review of the life cycle.
Teachers receive an outline of their education experience prior to their visit. Should they require additional information there is a detailed and extensive Perth Zoo Teachers’ Resource Book "Butterflies" available for purchase.
Participants in this program receive the standard Living Links Evaluation that is used for all Perth Zoo educational experiences. The program has also always enjoyed very strong and enthusiastic incidental support from teachers and parents at the conclusion of each class.
Perth Zoo Education +61 8 94740365.
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