Overview & Purpose:

Students will be able to identify and explain the role of cochinillas from a scientific, mathematical, artistic and culturally historic viewpoint.

Objectives:

Students will be able to scientifically categorize cochinillas, write a poem about them, describe the cultural significance of them to various peoples of the world, identify the geometric correlation to the cochinilla and produce an original piece of art about them, too.

Materials Needed:

Field Journal

Activity sheet

Card stock

pencil

natural items

cochinillas  gathered on nature walk

water

small containers for dye

paint brushes

Instruction:

●Take students on a silent nature walk through the paths at LHI

●Have students record their walk in their field journals

●Assist students in collecting an amount of  Cochinilla for their project later in the lesson

●Once back at the STREAM center have students Categorize the cochinilla into one of the following groups: protists, mammal, or insect. Be descriptive

●Assist students in writing a short poem or haiku about the cochinillas and their environment.

●Next identify the cultural significance of the Cochinilla to the peoples of Mexico. Who would have discovered this? What was it used for? How was it significant to their culture and way of life? Is it possible that we are still able to use the cochinilla? How?

●Finally have students identify any geometric principles they can find on the Cochinilla?  Sketch and label them on their activity sheets.

●Once students have completed all of their activities, have them Produce some dye of your own and use it to produce a postcard or greeting card.