Truthfully, I had rescheduled our Science Experiment for today.  We had a big birthday bash for my daughter yesterday (I can’t believe she is 11!) and everyone was tired.  Not an ideal day to do a Science Experiment.  But – real life learning found us!

As we were in the backyard a strange insect was spotted.  Luckily, we always have a bug catcher near by.  Madeline said it was a praying mantis, but I thought it was more likely a grasshopper.  Much to my surprise she was right!

This insect catch certainly called for some Science.  We called it an:

“Observational Science Experiment” and it is officially Day 3 of Science Experiments for Kids in our house.

Here is what we have done so far:

First of all, we brought it into our Science Lab (well, family room)

The kids, when observing this interesting creature, decided she must be hungry.  So we had to begin our research to find out what she ate.

My little scientists discovered Praying Mantis are carnivorous.  Luckily, with a 3 year old boy, we always seem to have bugs around.  A dead fly was quickly produced (yuck) and much to my surprise and disgust, but the kids delight, she ate it right away.

We also learned that:

• Praying Mantis eat grasshoppers, crickets, and sometimes their own kind (after mating – what a female!)

• Praying Mantis were named for the way their front legs look as though they are praying

• They have 2 complex eyes on the sides of their heads and 3 simple eyes in between (5 eyes – my Sammy thought this was the absolute coolest)

• Praying Mantis can turn their head 180 degrees

• They use the spikes on their front legs to snatch pray.

Now that is a cool science Experiment.  We turned a day that was quiet and tired in our home to a day full of excitement and learning.  Very cool.

It is really amazing what kids are able to do with the right inspiration.  All it took for my little bugs was finding a cool insect to study.

Man, Science is cool!!

Have your wee ones found any cool insects lately?