| Description | Background Information: Iowa Street School fourth and fifth graders have been studying environmental issues surrounding our rural village. We have formed a partnership with Mission Resource Conservation District providing hands-on learning opportunities. To date our activities include SourcePoint water pollution studies, storm drain labeling and water conservation and education studies with issues relating to animal and plant survival. Our classes are currently studying animal classifications, specifically arthropods; the life cycle, pollination, longevity, and the impact of insects. Our farming community, Fallbrook California, has recently been put under “quarantine status” due to discovery of Mexican Fruit Flies in our village. The quarantine will be in effect for 92 days, three life cycles, and encompasses a 73 square mile of our community. Our class has been following the progress of the Department of Agriculture , California Department of Farming, and Mission Resource Conservation District in their attempts to eradicate this disaster. Our farming industry includes 20 host crops subject to fruit fly infestation and the quarantine will be economically disastrous. While studying arthropods, specifically spiders and insects, the children are realizing the importance of such creatures that can carry disease. Since this fruit fly impacts our economy so greatly, I feel that investigation into the small but hazardous Mexican Fruit Fly would be most important for our culmination on the study of arthropods and their effect on the world. Bugscope would allow an in-depth microscopic view focusing specifically on the Mexican Fruit Fly for our classes to investigate while introducing the capabilities of microscopic investigation and technology. Specimens to be Collected and Viewed: Fruit flies, specifically the Mexican Fruit Fly Follow-up Activities and Discussion After Viewing the Session: Anticipated follow-up activities include discussion of viewing session, viewing of captured images, comparison to other flies captured, identification and drawing of body parts, and completion of evaluation activity. Evaluation Activity: Students will demonstrate their understanding of the differences between insects, the life cycle, and structure of the Mexican Fruit Fly by writing a compare and contrast paragraph using a Venn Diagrams to aid in formulating information. A creative writing will include what geographic areas a Mexican Fruit Fly will infest, what specific hosts will the fruit fly seek out, and what body adaptations would be enable this infestation to host fruit. As a culmination, the students will gather newspaper articles regarding this farming emergency and give suggestions on solving the infestation problem now and in the future. The students will explain the reasoning for the 92 day quarantine and how it relates to the life cycle of the fruit fly. |
