Exploring Exoskeletons

It’s been a surprising day at the stick and leaf insect habitat. Our giant green stick bug has molted and left an intact exoskeleton for us to examine. G and M were particularly entranced by the development. Especially by the significantly larger, and very active insect climbing up the screen in front of them.
A snippet of their conversation:
M - “I think it might want to eat a blackberry leaf. It’s moving around!”
G - “Don’t worry, it wont scare you. It’s being careful.”
M - “It’s moving a lot, but not a little bit.”
G - “Uh oh, it’s going to get the leaf one! That was close! Oh my goodness!”
The insect stops climbing as it reaches the top.
M - “I think it’s taking a rest there. Hey, wake up!”

G and M proceed to show the insect drawings of itself and give it a pile of loose parts (mint, lavender, bay laurel, and sticks) and puzzle pieces to “wake it up.” They also hold up sticks to measure and compare the insect’s length.

At circle we took a closer look at the exoskeleton and tried to better understand just what an exoskeleton is and how and why the insect shed it. We’ll definitely continue the conversation.