Pathfinder School Science

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A Visit from an Entomologist

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We were fortunate to have entomologist Nate Walton visit our classroom to help conduct a few experiments with the 8th graders. With Nate’s guidance the students set outside red and blue bowls filled with water. The students discovered after a few days that the red bowls held fewer pollinators, especially bees, who don’t see the color red as explained by Nate. The student’s then conclude that birds or other insects, which see different waves on the electromagnetic spectrum, must pollinate red flowers.  

Nate discussing insects with the 8th graders

Nate discussing insects with the 8th graders

We placed the traps outside

We placed the traps outside

 

Insects that were attracted to blue were more numerous.

Insects that were attracted to blue were more numerous.

Being an entomologist, Nate’s pets include insects he is studying. Here is Gabe inspecting a Bess Beatle.

Gabe and the Bess Beatle

The other experiment Nate brought was to see which lines termites follow on a piece of paper. After drawing many colored lines with different kinds of pens, the students noticed a pattern. The termites followed the lines created only by the RED Bic pens. Nate informed us that the ink contains a chemical that mimics the pheromone termites leave along the trail in order to be able to smell their way back to the nest.

Check out the video!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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