Adaptations

The amazing diversity of living things.

As they watch the unfolding life cycle of Painted Lady butterflies, students examine the ways organisms change over time to adapt to their environment. Utilizing the world-renowned Denton Butterfly Collection at the Wellesley Historical Society, students witness firsthand the amazing variety of butterfly colors, patterns, and shapes. Using evidence from direct observation, students construct explanations for how the myriad of variations, from mimicry and disguise to startling color and sacrificial wing design, provide advantages to ensure butterflies’ survival.