“Let’s Go Bug Hunting”

Final Project by: Kelley Lippner

A science unit using technology

Purpose of this unit:

• to give students the opportunity to explore and gain knowledge about insects while using technology.

Materials Needed:• Eyeclops Microscope Eyeclops Bug Vacuum

• Students will need paper and pencil to record observations.

• Computers/books to research insects.

Unit Overview:• Day 1: Students will learn about insects. They will study

the habitat, body parts, diet, and other characteristics of insects.

• Day 2: The students will then use their knowledge of insects to work in groups and go on a “Bug Hunt.” (see next slide for step-by-step directions)

• Day 3: The groups of students will research the insects that they took pictures of on their bug hunt. They will create a presentation to share their information with the class.

• Day 4: The groups of students will present their findings to the class.

Bug Hunt DirectionsStep #1

Capture bugs in the bug vacuum.

Step # 2

Detach the canister at the front of the vacuum.

Step # 3

Connect the canister to the Eyeclops Microscope or place the insect on a flat surface. Adjust the focus and magnification. Press “A” to take a picture.

Tips & Tricks:

When using the Eyeclops, I would

recommend testing it out on something that doesn’t move around, like a letter from the

newspaper

If the bug is moving around too much, it is difficult to

take a decent picture of the bug, and the bug vacuum

gives the bug a lot of room to move around. To solve this problem, take the bug

out of the vacuum and take a picture of the insect on a

hard surface, such as a table or sidewalk.

Have a digital camera available close by in case you find a bug

that is too big to take a picture of with the

Eyeclops microscope. This picture above was taken with my digital

camera.

Findings: Bug # 1The picture to the left shows

the insect’s antennas. You can see that one of the

antennas is about to fall off. In the picture on the right you can see that this same bug only has one antenna

now.

The picture on the right shows the underside of this insect. You can see that it looks bumpy and sticky. I

would have the students look up how these characteristics

help the insect.

Findings: Bug # 2

This bug was very interesting to look at under the microscope. You can see so many details in

the insect’s body that you can’t see without the microscope.

Findings: Bug # 3

This bug was very similar to Bug #1. Something interesting I observed about this bug was

that it would basically “play dead” and try to roll up

because it was scared.

Review of the technology:• Overall, I found the Eyeclops Microscope very useful. • It is hard to get a picture of the bug when it is moving. It turns out

very blurry. This is why I suggest just trapping the bug under the microscope instead of keeping it in the vacuum (as stated in the “tips”).

• It was somewhat difficult to focus the microscope.• I would suggest using this technology with upper

elementary/middle school. • I think the Eyeclops microscope would be very exciting for students

to use and they would learn a lot from it. It gets them involved in what they are learning and lets them discover it for themselves instead of just having them look at pictures of the insects in books.