Encouraging a child's interest and appreciation for some of nature's smallest critters starts at an early age. Pre-school bug programs are specifically designed for 3 - 5 year old children and focus on teaching awareness and respect for bugs, learning the difference between bug groups, and common bugs you may see in your parks and gardens.
General outline of Montessori and Pre-school bug museum visits
Presentation (25 minutes) Students are seated in our presentation area and receive a presentation about the bugs in the museum, on the topic chosen by the teacher (see below).
Independent exercise in bug museum (25 minutes). Your class becomes Junior Entomologists and comlete a scavenger hunt worksheet (independent exercise) in the bug museum. Students observe the bugs in the museum, just like scientists observe bugs in nature. Bug Lab staff assist your class with their observation worksheets.
Wrap Up (15 minutes). We seat your students back in the presentation area and students have the opportunity to ask additional questions.
Presentation Topics (chosen at time of booking by the teacher)
- Bug Diversity: Learn about insect diversity, the differences between insects and other bugs, and the various ways that insects protect themselves.
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Arachnids: Arachnids are the group of bugs that include spiders, mites and scorpions, among others. Learn about these various types of bugs, the differences between them, where you find them, what the biggest and the smallest, the most elusive and you will have to decide what is the coolest.
Craft Add-ons for students
Craft programs are scheduled after students finish their independent exercise in the bug museum. Craft programs are 1/2 an hour, all materials are supplied and involve hands on participation.
Crafts are $1.75 extra per student (including tax). Groups with >25 participants will be divided and half the group will complete craft while the other half visits the bug museum, then the two groups switch activities.
Choose one of these craft activities for your whole group. The whole group does the same craft activity, no exceptions.
- Dragonfly ornament (suitable for Kindergarten to Grade 3). Learn a cultural story about dragonflies, the meaning of the dragonfly, and make an ornament.
- Bug catcher (suitable for Kindergarten and up). Make a bug catcher that you can use to catch bugs in your parks, backyards and gardens. Learn about catching insects, respect, observation and the importance of letting insects go back into nature.
Cost and terms of programs at the Bug Lab
- $120 per program (20 participants).
- Additional participants $6/participant (including adults, students and siblings). Children < 2 years no charge.
- Programs are approximately one hour fifteen minutes.
- $60 deposit required at time of booking. Unfortunately, we cannot hold your place without a deposit, no exceptions. Deposits are non-refundable.
- When you make a booking, we will send you a confirmation via fax/email by the next business day. If you do not receive a confirmation, please advise us immediately, otherwise we will assume you received the confirmation. Please review the confirmation dates and final price of program and immediately advise us of errors.
- If you would like to pay your deposit by cheque sent from your school, cheque must be received three weeks in advance of program. We do not accept personal cheques. Once we receive your cheque we will notify you of receipt of payment.
- Craft add-on $1.75 per student, including tax. All craft supplies are included.
- No food, drink or snack time is permitted in the museum area.
- If you would like to have snack or lunch time at the Bug Lab, we require an additional $1 per participant. We reserve the presentation area for 1/2 hour after your program has finished and you are welcome to use the room at your leisure.
To make a booking please fill in the request form below. We will respond to your request within two business days. Thank you!
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