Our Field Trip to Dillon Nature Center
by Joni Allsup
October 08, 2007
Do you know what a sweep net is? How about a butterfly net? Third graders from Haven Grade School learned the difference between these nets and also how to use them on their field trip to Dillon Nature Center on October 5, 2007.
A sweep net is used to collect insects near the ground. A butterfly net is finer and is used to collect insects near the tops of tall grass. Students spent 5-10 minutes out on the "prairie" using the nets. Then they returned to share their findings. Several grasshoppers and even a dragonfly were found in the nets and placed in jars for observation. All insects were later put back into their natural habitat.
Inside the center, specialist Mary Clark shared her marvelous display boxes of insects. Students heard several interesting facts about butterflies, beetles, and grasshoppers. Watching the bee colony at work was also quite fascinating.
After spending the morning at the nature center, the third graders enjoyed a picnic lunch and free time at Carey Park.
