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Insect Inventors

Activity

Build Your Own Bug

Create your own insect. What is its name? What are its adaptations? Draw it or build it out of natural or recycled materials.
a ladybug on a green leaf
close up of an orange, yellow, black and white grasshopper
dragonfly with wings above them on a dry twig

Science Seed

Insects have many different adaptations, or different features that they have developed to help them survive. Some of these adaptations include: an exoskeleton, wings, camouflage, and specialized feet or mouth parts. An exoskeleton is the hard outer shell that protects an insect’s body and prevents them from drying out. Some insects have wings that allow them to fly, escape predators, or find food and mates. Others use camouflage, blending in with their surroundings, to avoid being seen by predators. Their feet and mouthparts are also adapted to their needs—some have sticky feet for climbing, while others have specialized mouthparts for eating different types of food. Grasshoppers, for instance, have long, strong hind legs that help them make large jumps, allowing them to quickly escape from danger or leap over tall grasses. Each of these adaptations is perfectly suited to help insects thrive in their unique habitats.
botany jar illustration

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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 Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired

The Ecologist School Pocket Guide: TSBVI edition is a collaboration between Families in Nature and the Texas School for the Blind & Visually Impaired as an effort to help our community learn more about the TSBVI campus, while getting outside into nature together! This booklet has 80 lessons across 16 different branches of science to help you play, learn, and volunteer on campus!

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.
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