Soar with Butterflies (and Moths)

 

Butterflies and moths are winged insects, but probably are considered the beauty queens and kings of that species. Fortunately, these winged beauties can be found around the world – and in these online activities. Follow them here.

 

CONNECT:

• Watch the details about butterflies at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unGHaH7CtBA
• See 50 kinds of butterflies (and their names) at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nGL9DE4rt4
• Find differences between butterflies and moths at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iblveeTDkXQ

 

CREATE:

• Make a trivia game by using 30 fun facts about butterflies, found at https://www.teachstarter.com/us/blog/butterfly-facts-for-kids/
• Let your imagination soar by trying these easy butterfly crafts at https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/blog/2023/07/10-easy-butterfly-crafts-for-kids/
• Try these wild (spaces) butterfly lessons at https://butterfly-conservation.org/discover-and-learn/activities-and-resources

 

CARE:

• Help save the butterflies in partnership with the North American Butterfly Association at https://naba.org/
• Join the International Monarch Monitoring Blitz July 25 to August 3 at https://www.cec.org/newsletter/2025-international-monarch-monitoring-blitz/
• Help create wild spaces for butterflies at https://wild-spaces.co.uk/

 

CONNECT:

Do butterflies make your heart flutter? There may be a career it in for you: as a scientist, an artist, a photographer, an educator, a collector, a museum curator. May your career soar with these ideas.

• Careers in entomology: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNHHKnWZ8hg
• Butterfly raiser: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsnIK9nfyPs
• https://www.ucdavis.edu/majors/blog/what-can-you-do-with-an-entomology-degree

 

Gee! Gemstones!

 Lots of us like bright shiny things – such as gemstones (although not all gemstones are bright and shiny). Gemstones DO stand out among things in the earth. And you can unearth the facts about gemstones with these online activities.

CONNECT:

• Discover the differences between rocks, minerals, crystals, and gems at https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=MBbZnuV5RdI&ab_channel=AmericanMuseumofNaturalHistory
• Watch how rocks are transformed into gemstones at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GsSd7Yb4xo&ab_channel=TheGoodandtheBeautifulHomeschoolScience
• Gemstones are legendary; read how at https://www.angara.com/blog/gemstone-legends-that-will-blow-your-mind/

 

CREATE:

• Find gemstone pairs (uncut and polished versions in this interactive game: https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/games/puzzles/article/matching-gemstones
• Compare polished and rough versions of gemstones at https://gemkids.gia.edu/view-all-gemstones
• Play with gems and other bright shiny things at https://www.ourplayfullearningjourney.com/post/loose-parts-play-ideas-using-gems-and-jewels

 

CARE:

• If you have any gems, you will want to take good care of them. And each type of gemstone has unique characteristics that need to be considered. See the list at https://www.gemsociety.org/article/gemstone-care-guide/
• Children in parts of the world are forced to mine for gems. Read about their plight at https://www.worldvision.com.au/docs/default-source/buy-ethical-fact-sheets/7185_dtl_factsheet_jewellery_lr.pdf?sfvrsn=2&srsltid=AfmBOorUcWx3eShZD_IMdnu-WNdeTxrc5wkclYZLlv8HGB4uDfrMd3T_
• Find out what are ethical and conflict-free gemstones at https://www.ceylons.de/blog-en/ethical-gemstones

 

CAREERS:

Do gemstones put a sparkle in your eyes? You could have a bright future in gems: as a gemologist, a miner, a manufacturer, a scientist, a collector, a seller, a jeweler, an artist,  or a historian. Explore  some of the possibilities here.

• https://www.gemsociety.org/article/guide-career-options-gemology/
• https://www.gia.edu/gem-careers
• https://work.chron.com/careers-working-gemstones-29973.html