The  students in Ms. Spencer's class get to do real life science. By capturing caterpillars and caring for them, they are given the opportunity to observe and collect data on several species of butterfly. In addition, they help out projects at the University of Kansas  and the University of Georgia by tagging Monarch Butterflies and collecting DNA.

They also get to learn about the ecosystems and habitats of the creatures. Due to farming and logging both in the US and in Mexico, the Habitat of the Monarch is in decline. Several years ago Briarlake started planting Milkweed, the only place Monarchs will lay eggs. Our school is now a Monarch Habitat and one free of the parasites that often plague the species.

For more on the Monarch Butterfly, visit http://www.monarchwatch.org/