Pines third graders journeyed deep into the world’s tropical rainforests without ever leaving the classroom. Naturalist and explorer Steve Fratello visited the school to share his spectacular collection of rare butterflies and moths, tying into the students’ recent unit on Colombia.
Steve Fratello has spent nearly 1,000 days exploring rainforests and led multiple scientific expeditions for both the Smithsonian and Field Museums. During his presentation, he shared dozens of carefully curated shadowboxes filled with exotic butterfly and moth species he’s collected during his travels.
Students were captivated not only by the vibrant beauty of the insects but also by the science behind them. They learned about insect anatomy, communication, habitat and survival strategies, including concepts such as camouflage, mimicry and metamorphosis.
