"Spread your wings and fly, butterfly..."

I'm pretty anti "science kit."  For the most part, they just seem like a list of instructions for students  to follow and then at the end some sort of science happens.  It just seems like the antithesis of what inquiry-based learning should be.  However, I think that some of these kits might be useful as a tool in an authentic science learning experience.

These "grow your own butterfly" kits seem cheesy and ridiculous, but year after year I've witnessed pre-k learners have meaningful educational encounters with those little critters.  I think that it all depends on how we as educators use these kits.  If we go through the instructions and hand them a worksheet, then it is unlikely that much real learning is taking place.  But if we guide them to ask thoughtful questions, then we are creating a valuable opportunity.

By the way, I have a perfect butterfly survival rate record.  That's very rare, and I'm pretty proud.

The kits are for sale here for $14 (plus a free voucher and 7.95 shipping for the larvae).

Also, if you sang along to the title of this blog post, then we probably would have been friends as awkward preteens.