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Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History

Insect Survival

Close up of a lubber grasshopper on a leaf. The grasshopper is yellow, black, brown, and red.
A lubber grasshopper in the O. Orkin Insect Zoo. Photo by Rosa Pineda, Smithsonian.

Live Video School Program for Grades 3-5

During this museum-educator-led program students virtually explore what makes an insect an insect, and why they are so successful (insects have more species and live in more places than any other animal!). Students will investigate and identify the survival techniques of the Carolina Sphinx Moth and the Tobacco Hornworm, exploring their adaptations using the scientific skills of observation and sketching.

Formats

Designed to accommodate classes, grades, or groups with 15-1,000 students. Students will not be visible to the museum educator or other students, but they will be able to submit questions in writing through the Q&A, and interact through polls.

Designed to accommodate classes of 15 - 35 students. Students will be visible to the museum educator and their classmates, and will have the ability to raise their hand to ask questions. In order to participate in this format, those registering will need to provide copies of parental permissions to participate in onscreen programs. If you would like to register for more than 35 students you will need to book a second slot.

Designed to accommodate individual students or small groups with less than 15 students. Students will not be visible to the museum educator or other students, but they will be able submit questions in writing through the Q&A, and interact through polls. Homeschool Days available the first Monday of the month: October 5, November 2, and December 7.  

Register

  • Registered programs, 10:15 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. ET from October 5, 2020, to June 18, 2021. DCPS teachers please contact us if classes need to be scheduled at alternate times. 
  • Registration is now open. Register for Digital School Programs

Supplemental Video

More Videos

Elytra Color with an image of dozens of beetles of various colors, including green, orange, yellow, black, and blue
The Beetle's Special Adaptation for Survival: Elytra with Floyd Shockley and Katie Derloshon
Floyd Shockley holding a collection case of beetles
Beetle Adaptations for Survival with Floyd Shockley
Dr. Floyd Shockley, collections manager
Scientist Spotlight: Floyd Shockley, Collections Manager and Entomologist
Three black and orange milkweed bugs on a green leaf
Science How Webinar: Insect Adaptations, Featuring Residents of the Insect Zoo
Chris Mooney, manager of O. Orkin Insect Zoo and the Butterfly Pavilion
Scientist Spotlight: Chris Mooney, Manager, O. Orkin Insect Zoo
A girl holding a craft ball she made during a science program at the museum.
Kids, you are just like scientists!

Upcoming Science How Live Webinars

Bring a Smithsonian scientist into your home and classroom with Smithsonian Science How, a series of live video webinars that connect Smithsonian science experts with students. These new webinars will connect your students with the core content of the Insect Survival school programs and provide students with an opportunity to extend their learning in the content area.

  • April 28, 2021: Pollination Webinar - Identifying Bees through Illustration (more details coming soon)

Extension Resources

Video: Draw a Carolina Sphinx Moth and Learn About Its Adaptations

Follow along with museum educator Katie Derloshon in drawing and making observations of the Carolina Sphinx Moth. In this video, Katie guides students in looking closely at images of a real specimen and using those observations in their drawings. While instructing students what and how to draw, Katie shares information about the moth's body features and how it eats, moves, and protects itself.

Virtually explore the Butterfly Pavilion and O. Orkin Insect Zoo.

Learn about the O. Orkin Insect Zoo at the Natural History Museum!