Curated OER
Invertebrates
Students identify insect body parts and look for local insect life. They create an insect using recycled material and design a classroom mural with bug facts. They study Monarch butterflies and dragonflies.
Curated OER
Ask the Antlion
Students observe and examine the life cycle of antlions, recording their observations of the live insects in a journal. They view an antlion on a video microscope, draw the body parts, and replicate their experiment at home.
Kids' Wings
Texas Bluebonnet Books: "Insectlopedia"
This site provides many links to students activities and interactive websites to enrich Douglas Florian's "Insectlopedia."
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Bees
In this video segment from WILD TV, learn about bees and the different techniques for handling them.
TED Talks
Ted: Ted Ed: How Life Came to Land
This video explores arthropods, who first made the transition from water to land and who outnumber all terrestrial animals. [5:28] Followed by a short quiz and a list of additional resources to explore.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Bee Ing in a Swarm
Learn about bees, their habitat and how to interact with a swarm in this Wild TV video segment.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Backyard Bugs
This video segment from Wild TV takes a closer look at backyard bugs, their habitat and characteristics. [2:48]
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Antlion Pits in Open Sand or Under Leaf Cover
Antlion larvae are known for their predatory ways. In sandy areas, they dig pits to trap ants or other crawling insects that happen to stumble in. This project shows you how to create a mini-environment for antlion larvae to test their...
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Do Milkweed Bugs Show a Color Preference for Egg Laying Sites?
Milkweed bugs, as their name suggests, have a close relationship with the milkweed plant. The plant produces a milky sap, and toxic compounds, but somehow the milkweed bug is unaffected by them. Instead, it concentrates chemicals from...
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Most Effective Treatment for Whitefly Infestations on Plants?
Whiteflies are a group of closely related insect species whose larvae live on plants. Like aphids, they suck nutrients from the plant's circulatory system. You will be asked to find the most effective method for fighting a whitefly...
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Ask a Cricket, 'What Is the Temperature?'
A cricket as a thermometer? Yes, that's right. In this science fair project, you'll investigate how the chirps of these tiny creatures can do more than lull you to sleep-they can tell you the temperature.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Is It an Insect?
In this activity, students will explore the characteristics of insects by sorting a collection of organisms found in pond water. Students will sort insects from non-insects. Lesson plan includes basic procedure for activity.
Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian Learning Lab: The Greatest Show on Earth (Starring Some of the World's Smallest Animals)
Teachers can download this teaching package that discusses insects and insect adaptations. Students will enjoy the hands-on activities described in the lessons. Teachers will appreciate the student handouts provided, as well as the list...
Language Guide
Language Guide: Los Insectos
Colorful pictures display various types of insects. You can hear the correct Spanish pronunciation and see the correct spelling by holding your mouse over the picture.
Encyclopedia of Earth
Encyclopedia of Earth: Entomology: Bed Bug Information
Detailed information about bed bugs: how to identify them, treating and preventing infestations, physical features, life cycle, and misconceptions about bed bugs. Includes links to additional resources. (Published: December 13, 2010)
Iowa State University
Iowa State University: Entomology Image Gallery
This site provides an extensive collection of photographs of insects.
PBS
Pbs Nova: Tales From the Hive
Website that accompanies the NOVA program "Tales from the Hive." Site includes additional facts on bees, specifically the breakdown of a bee hive, and the different dances bees do as well as what they mean.
Museums Victoria
Museum Victoria: Bug Catcher
Students explore different types of insects as they help the curator organize the museum's insect collection and as they search for, examine, and capture new insects out in the field.
Other
Hooper Virtual Paleontological Museum
This site provides a virtual tour to the Hooper Virtual Paleontological Museum. There are many virtual exhibits to visit through a series of links, including Mass Extinctions and Human Evolution. Very descriptive and fun tour!
Tree of Life Project
The Tree of Life Web Project: Animals
Extensive site that contains much information about the various animal phyla. Each phyla gives photos, common examples, scientific names and references. Collection of 1630 websites about bio-diversity.
Other
Tom Moore, Mulrennan Research Center/ Mosquito
The first section describes the general characteristics of the mosquito
Other
Bugbios: Class Insecta
See pictures of many different butterfly wing patterns and read about the individual butterflies.
Other
Insects.org: Insects on the Web
Explore the fascinating stories of insects and the roles they play in our lives. Check out the photos and descriptions, learn how they help humans, find some great educational resources, and much more.
My Learning
My Learning: Minibeasts
All you need for an in-depth study of invertebrates is here on this site. Includes worksheets, quiz, useful information, and a fun interactive section where you can build your own super bug!