The following is a general outline for this research project:

TOTAL TIME NEEDED: 4 WEEKS

IN CLASS TIME: 5-20 MINUTES PER DAY

TIMELINE OUTLINE:

(Day 1 is the day on which the caterpillars arrive, and day 30 means 30 actual days after they arrive, not 30 school days. Spans of dates attempt to account for differences in growth rates of the butterflies and factors in weekends)

PRE-RESEARCH

Day 1: Nature of Science Lesson and Intro to Project

RESEARCH

Day 2: Intro to Scientific Journals, Meet the Caterpillars

Days 3-10: Continuing Observation of Caterpillars

Days 10-12: The Chrysalis Formation

Days 12-18: Setting Up Habitat and Time Lapse

Days 18-20: Adults Emerging and Time Lapse

Days 18-22: Identifying Species, Mating, and Life History Report

Days 22-24: Laying Eggs

Days 25-29: Larvae Hatch, Overpopulation, Work on Report

POST-RESEARCH

Day 30: Scientific Method(s)

Day 30+: Life History Report Due, Webpage Design

Project Extensions