Fourth Grade Bug Project Ms. Veach’s class 2008

You are an entomologist You are an entomologist! When on a recent expedition with fellow scientists, you have discovered a new species of bug! Think about the type of bug you have found and brainstorm on a clean sheet of paper what you want your bug to look like. Your final project must be a completed power point presentation or a presentation on a poster board with typed information. You will also make a model of your bug. Make a list of materials that you can use from around your house to create your model. Ask an adult for help at home.

Name That Bug! Since you are the discoverer, you must create a name for your bug. Come up with a scientific name as well as a nickname. You may use the bug’s traits to help you name it or you can name it after you! Ex: Trashilio (scientific) Garbage Bug (nickname)

Circle of Life What kind of life cycle does your bug have? Complete Metamorphosis Incomplete Metamorphosis

Choose a life cycle. You must study your bug and find out how it reproduces. Does it go through complete or incomplete metamorphosis? Draw (by hand or using Microsoft paint or kidpix) each stage of your bugs life cycle. Label each stage. Write a paragraph describing the life cycle of your bug.

Bug information! Make a chart or write a paragraph telling the public where your bug lives and what it eats. List any other important information about your bug here as well. Is it helpful or harmful to humans? How do you know? Be sure to use good details and explain thoroughly.

Try again! Remember that the important organs need to be protected by a body part that is covered by a skeleton. Bugs have their skeletons on the outside. They have an exoskeleton.

Quick Quiz Click on the correct answer below Quick Quiz Click on the correct answer below. What is the bug body part that holds all of the bugs important organs? The Head The Abdomen The Thorax

Correct!!  The abdomen is the safest part of a bugs body because it is covered by a tough exoskeleton. This is good because it protects the digestive system, heart, and other important organs the bug needs to live! The abdomen acts like our bones in our body. It protects all of the working organs we need to stay alive.

Bug Bodies Go back to your list of materials and think about how you can create your model of your bug. Be sure to review the body parts of insects to include all needed body parts on your bugs. Use only clean materials and be sure to have adult supervision with all tools.

Anatomy Review Be sure to draw a diagram and label each as well as create a model. Your bug must have the following: Head Compound eyes Mouth part (proboscis, pincher, etc.) Antennae Abdomen (must be hard to show exoskeleton) Thorax with six legs and wings attached Attach a loop to the top of your model so we can hang them from the ceiling.

Links to Research If you need more information, please use your text book, notes, and the websites below to help you. http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/insects/13.html http://www.kendall-bioresearch.co.uk/morph.htm http://www.kendall-bioresearch.co.uk/life.htm http://www.mov.vic.gov.au/bugs/lifecycles.aspx http://www.yesnet.yk.ca/schools/wes/webquests_themes/bugs_corinne_2004/bugs.html

Submit your new species discovery! Your final project should include all of the information from the slides given either in a PowerPoint presentation or on a poster board presentation with typed information sheets. You should have a 3D model created of your bug to hang in the classroom and show at your presentation. For printable packets to use on a posterboard and/or the rubric for your project please see the 3D project link on Ms. Veach’s webpage. http://www.rochester.k12.mi.us/index.asp?folder=15479&name=Ms.%20Veach