Small-Life Supplies - School Topic Ideas

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School Topic Ideas...

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Stick Insect Topic Suggestions...

Three of the eggs from our Stick Insect Egg Kit have hatched so far and the children are thrilled to have seen part of the stick insects' life cycle. We have a huge bramble bush in the playground and Class 5 are taking excellent care of Stanley (who hatched on my birthday) and the other two.

I photocopied some maps of the world with the countries left blank. Using the book "Keeping Stick Insects" by Dorothy Floyd, the children wrote in the names of the countries mentioned in the book: India, Australia etc. As well as showing how widespread stick insects are, I hope this exercise will help the children to remember where the countries are.

We have been looking at the shed skins of our classroom stick insects and discussing the advantages of exoskeletons. Although some children found it difficult at first to understand the concept of ecdysis, by using the analogy of a tight jacket I think they understood.

We have been looking at stick insect eggs through the microscope and seeing how similar or dissimilar they are to the frass [insect droppings and food debris].

We held a bug quiz! The class was divided up into teams and went to the library to get six questions and answers on bugs. They then asked the rest of the class the questions. This was fun and I think we all learned new bug facts!

I have given the children in my class a nature notebook and every day they have to write down an observation they have made when looking at the stick insect cage. This is working really well.

We divided our Australian stick insect eggs into two QBOXES and kept them both at the same daytime temperature (variable), but different night-time temperatures (12 degrees and 18 degrees Celsius). After seven months, none of the ones kept at a night-time temperature of 12 degrees Celsius have hatched. But the ones kept warmer at night started to hatch after 4 months!

I collected some stick insect skins from your showroom and the students in my art class are using them as a subject for their their fine art exam.

We're investigating the preferred substrate for stick insect eggs. We have four Bug-Cages, each containing New Guinea stick insects and a tray divided into four compartments: sand, potting compost, peat and soil. Each cage has the tray rotated by 90 degrees to eliminate position as a factor.

I photographed the students holding our different mini-beasts. We then created a collage for the school's open day. This was very well received.

We keep Indian stick insects very successfully and are getting some Pink winged stick insects to compare and contrast.

See the pattern which newly hatched Thailand stick insects (Baculum thaii) move their legs - I think it's different to other species and so worthy of investigation.

Answers to some FAQs...
With all the Health and Safety legislation, is it still OK to keep stick insects in school? .	Yes. For reassurance visit www.cleapss.org.uk
Are the stick insects you supply harmless?	Yes, they do not bite or sting.
Are they safe to handle or must I wear latex gloves?	Stick insects are safe to handle and so protective gloves are not needed!
How many eggs hatch out of your stick insect Egg Kit?	Usually 8, 9 or all 10 stick insect eggs will hatch.
What happens if I run out of bramble?	Green bramble (blackberry) leaves are available all year in sheltered areas (such as woods). Or, you can buy Fresh Cut Bramble stems from us.
Can I fax a school order to you?	Yes, fax 01949 843036 and we shall fax back a pro-forma invoice.
Can you send a VAT receipt?	Yes, a receipted VAT invoice is sent with the goods.
Do you guarantee live arrival?	Yes.
Can we pay by BACS?	Yes.
Do other school suppliers sell your cages?	Yes, visit www.scichem.co.uk and www.timstar.co.uk
Can I pay by card and claim it back from the school fund?	Yes, many teachers do this.
How long do stick insects live?	Most species of stick insect live for about one year, but the New Guinea stick insects live longer, typically up to two years.

Please email you topic suggestions to: les@small-life.co.uk

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