Tiny Science

Moss is such an awesome player in the PNW. Thriving in window panes and rock voids in concrete, niches that the region has in spades. All supplied regularly with water.
Moss moss moss.
Moss moss moss.
You snuggle with water.

Today in Kindergarten, I introduced the four groups of arthropods. Do you know them?
One thing I’ve learned about successful teaching is trying to reach as many *neurons* as possible. This includes singing and laughing a lot, but most importantly I try to integrate their own imaginations. Arthropods can be pretty bizarre, definitely inspiring. So I start them off with some unicorn horns and capes, but I drop little prompts to help them break out into their own ideas. And shooey, does it ever pay off!

Today, Sonia came up with the first ever PIZZA CAPE, which absolutely blows my mind. Oh the places we can go from here!! A PIZZA CAPE??! Sign me up.
I also saw a myriapod (eg millipede or centipede) with more legs than ever, even on its back so it can “walk on the ceiling”. This is how engineering advances, with open-minded ideas like this.
And Wren made such a great tutu for her unicorn beetle, I had to take a picture.

Insects and arthropods are the perfect study subject for early science outreach. They are weirder than our imaginations and still have room for more!
And the four groups of arthropods? They are: insects, arachnids (now called chelicerates, includes spiders and scorpions, ticks and mites), crustaceans (famously tasty), and myriapods (“too many legs to count” in Latin:). And insects, of course, the only group with wings. Trilobites were arthropods too! Extinct now, honorable mention.
What a wonderful experience, teaching big thinkers. They bigger my mind.
Love you

I was so lucky to be invited to a very buggy birthday party today 🥳
The birthday boy really knows entomology and has great field skills; finding and handling all kinds. Such a treat to hang out with.
One of my mantises made an appearance.
Love you