By Madison Butkus
Hometown Weekly Reporter
Children of all ages and their guardians gathered in the Community Room of the Sherborn Library for a fun learning experience about butterflies and moths. The event was sponsored by the Friends of the Sherborn Library.
Heather Simpson, a representative from Hands on Nature, began with a PowerPoint presentation on various types of butterflies and moths, their characteristics, predators, and more. She shared intriguing facts, such as how butterflies have scales that make up their wings and how moths camouflage themselves to avoid predators.
Children sat on the floor around Simpson, captivated by the pictures and videos she showed. Many asked questions and shared stories, which Simpson was happy to address and listen to. After the presentation, Simpson organized four different activities for the children.
One activity was an arts and crafts table where participants made their own hungry caterpillars. With the help of guardians, children used clothespins, glue, pompoms, and goggly eyes to create their caterpillars.
Another activity involved special bug glasses that allowed everyone to see as insects do. Simpson explained that insects perceive the world differently, offering attendees a unique perspective.
A third activity was a butterfly life cycle game where children arranged the stages of a butterfly's life in the correct order. Attendees learned and/or refreshed their knowledge on the transformation from egg to caterpillar, then to chrysalis, and finally to butterfly.
The most popular activity was the live butterfly tent. Simpson brought two live butterflies, allowing children to enter the tent and hold a butterfly if they wished. She instructed them to remove their shoes and explained how to handle the butterflies without damaging their wings.
After everyone had a turn in the butterfly tent, Simpson led the children and their guardians to the Sherborn Police Station to release the butterflies into the wild. The group watched in awe as the butterflies fluttered away.
The Hands on Nature learning experience was a delightful time for all attendees. For more information about Hands on Nature programs, visit their website at www.handsonnature.org.
