a bugg'in day

As luck would have it we stumbled across a chance to collect Water Striders for Little Science. (Sorry T, new family pet coming your way!) 

So off to the park for a Lesson in Water Striders, who are they, where do the live, & what do they eat?

Did you know they are kind of water vampires!

 I had thought when I started this unit last week the season for aquatic bug catching was over but the trick was finding shallow warm water.

                                            Oops, the dog fell in while growling at the bugs...

On a side note here were Willow & Beach wading in the ankle deep water.  The poor kids in the daycare next to the park ventured over to see Mercy but their Teacher began blowing a whistle telling them they were in 'The water danger zone'.  They begged her to let them see the dog and as I was getting up to leave the water danger zone so they could pet my dog she informed them I was a stranger so they were not allowed to interact with me. Sad really.

"One of the first things a family tries to teach its children is the difference between good and evil, right and wrong. One of the first things our schools do is destroy that distinction." ~John Taylor Gatto~

                                             Beach found it easier to catch them by hand.

Home to recreate habitats.  A few to the frog tank for the circle of life, a few out to the green house heat sink pool, and the rest to their new home in the school room.

                                            Even Mercy thinks science at the park was cool!