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Bug Olympics

Activity

Imagining Insects Competing in Olympic Sports

Observe an insect for 5 minutes and imagine it competing in an Olympic sport. Is it a high jumper, a sprinter, or a synchronized swimmer? Share your bug’s story like a sports commentator.

Science Seed

Insects have unique abilities that help them survive and thrive in their environments, and many of these abilities can be compared to human athletics. For example, grasshoppers are high jumpers, able to leap great distances using their powerful hind legs. Ants can be seen as sprinters, running quickly to gather food or escape predators. Dragonflies, with their incredible agility, could be considered synchronized swimmers as they gracefully navigate through the air, hovering in one spot or darting in and out of narrow spaces. Each insect species has evolved specialized skills to compete in the natural world, whether for escaping danger, catching prey, or finding mates.

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earn Badges

Badges can be earned through hands-on experiences within each of the 16 branches of science, or “Science Slices.” You can earn a badge in each branch of science by doing four activities in these categories. We also encourage participants to keep a Nature Journal to record their memories, and to express themselves creatively through writing or drawing after each activity. We recommend that each child (and parent if they’d like) write or draw in a journal after each activity, with expectations of your children that match their age (the goal is self-expression, not perfection).

Explore Billy Reagan K-8 Education Center

join Families in Nature

It is our vision to inspire all families to fall in love with nature and foster the next generation of conservationists. Becoming a member of Families in Nature will give your family the opportunity to have adventures in nature, experience field science, develop as youth conservation leaders, and make memories that will last a lifetime. Memberships are free for everyone.

Who are we?

Families in Nature works to create opportunities for nature connection with the purpose of sparking a deep love and desire to protect, conserve and restore the environment. Our mission is to connect children and their families to nature and to each other through time spent learning, playing, and volunteering outdoors. It is our vision to inspire ALL families to fall in love with nature and foster the next generation of conservationists.

This project was made possible by HEB.