Manduca goes Sandfeldschule

This week I had the pleasure of visiting Sandfeldschule, where I introduced the students of classes 2a and 2b to the world of insects. I brought along Manduca sexta – tobacco hornworms at different stages of development, from large caterpillars to pupae.

Look who joined the Sandfeldschule - a hungry caterpillar!

The children were able to observe the animals up close, carefully touch them, and learn about the complete life cycle of moths and butterflies. One of the big questions was: How does a caterpillar actually transform into a moth or butterfly?

Very quickly, it became clear that insects are not only fascinating to watch but also incredibly important for humans – as pollinators, as essential parts of ecosystems, and even as valuable model organisms in research.

The students were wide awake, curious, and full of questions, such as:

• “How long does it take for a butterfly to emerge from a pupa?”

• “Why do caterpillars eat so much?”

• “Can butterflies get sick, too?”

Two hands, two stages - the hungry caterpillar and its sleeping pupa...

It was truly inspiring to see their enthusiasm and engagement.

A heartfelt thank you goes to the entire Sandfeldschule for the warm welcome – and especially to Ms. Person, who made this visit possible.