Start of Session 2!

On our first day, we were excited to have campers work outside and gain experience collecting insects. We brought back the insects to the lab and looked closer through the microscope. This allowed us to identify them, using a pictorial key. 

In our lab, we expanded the equipment and techniques that we can use in our investigations. This included learning a protocol using fruit flies. Campers set up an investigation using this new protocol to see if fruit flies prefer shady or sunny areas.

One of the most fundamental tasks in doing science is asking questions! We did this by looking back at the data and observations that we collected from our pan traps around Northwestern’s campus. We have questions about… 

• The impact of humans and human-made things on insects 

• The role of water on insect distribution around campus

• The features of flowers that attract pollinators

• AND MORE!!! 

The questions we generated will allow us to investigate more about pollinators during the rest of camp.