Here’s a novel way to encourage children to practice counting and other math skills: try counting butterflies. All across the US, volunteers are counting butterflies in the name of science. In 1975, the North American Butterfly Association (NABA) launched it’s annual butterfly count program. Volunteers from all over North America join together on designated days to identify and count butterflies – no scientific degree needed. By using only your eyes and enthusiasm, you will contribute to scientists understanding of local butterfly populations and how they have changed over time.
For more information on where and when these counts take place check out the NABA website: http://www.naba.org
You can also learn more about butterfly counting at: http://www.monarchnet.uga.edu, or at: http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org.
Happy Counting!
Darlene Beck-Jacobson 