First Grade Scientists Study Butterfly Migration

Students learned firsthand about the stages of the Monarch metamorphosis, watched new butterflies emerge from chrysalises, and released adult butterflies to begin their annual Monarch migration to overwintering sights in the mountains of Mexico.

Using the internet-based program Journey North, first-graders along with citizen scientists across North America shared observations of migrations and took part in a symbolic migration, a project that seeks to unite children in the US, Mexico, and Canada in Monarch conservation.

Hawken students learned about the challenges the Monarchs face and reasons for recent population declines. They shared their learning in an assembly and made and packaged milkweed mudballs containing seeds, inviting 1^st through 5^th graders to help in their efforts to establish a waystation on campus for returning Monarchs.