GROUP STUDY FOCUS: The life cylce of the Painted Lady Butterlfy

HYPOTHESIS: How might the life cycle be influenced by different conditions found within the classroom environment.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN:

Independent variable:

1. "Do the larvae like this food or that?" based on how they eat.
2. Will they pupate in darkness more rapidly than in a sunny place.
3. Does temperature make any difference in the length of the life cycle of the insect. Do they stay in their crysalis longer if cool?

Dependent variable:

1. Which group might pupate first?
2. Which group hatches first?
3. Which group is most prolific?

EQUIPMENT NEEDED:
thermometer, light meters (hand held type used for photography), hydrometers, anemometers, larvae, food and cages.

PROCEDURES:
Students will investigate the room environment, and devise experiments using bariables that might impat the life cycle of the butterfly living in it. After learning about the species (most likely the Painted Lady Butterlfy) the students well discuss and hypothesize about the variables of light, heat, wind, humidity or food sources and why they might impact the life cycle.