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History

In 1991, a science outreach program for grades K-3 called The Manduca Project was initiated through the joint efforts of the University of Arizona Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics and Tucson Unified School District (TUSD). This project provides resources for student explorations with Manduca sexta. It has demonstrated the insect's usefulness both as a research subject and as a bridge between the University and the public schools.

The Manduca Project began simply. Teachers received caterpillars, artificial diet, instructions, and help with planning a week of classroom activities around the insects. Soon, teachers and their students expanded this activity into interdisciplinary lessons covering weeks and even months.

Insects in the classroom

Insects lend themselves particularly well to exploratory classroom activities. Insects are easy to find, and there are several that are simple to raise in the classroom. Insects give students hands-on experience observing and designing experiments with live animals, experience that cannot be duplicated using books and models. Most importantly, students of all ages are fascinated by insects. They capture students' attention and open their minds–crucial steps in the learning process. When the mind is open, anything can happen!

Why Manduca sexta?

The tobacco hornworm (Manduca sexta) is useful for examining a diverse array of biological problems. Scientists around the world study this insect to answer questions ranging from ecology and growth to agriculture, neurobiology, muscle physiology, and the biochemistry of camouflage.

Why use Manduca in research?

First, they are good model physiological systems–like us in many ways, but much simpler. Second, they are safe, easy, and inexpensive to raise (compared to, say, African elephants). Finally, there is little controversy regarding using non-endangered insects in scientific research. For these same reasons, Manducas make excellent subjects for raising and investigating animals in the classroom.

Learning with Manduca

Using Manduca sexta, students learn observation skills by keeping detailed logs of the insects' growth and behavior. They learn the elements of graphing by plotting the growth of the insect using simple student-made balances to measure mass, and string to measure changes in length. Students use Manduca as the basis for writing, art, poetry, and music projects. Typically, individual students have their own insect to observe and care for, instilling a sense of responsibility and heightening their observation skills.

Looking ahead

The Manduca Project continues to evolve, both in terms of its breadth and number of participants. The University's Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics sponsors workshops for elementary educators throughout the Tucson area. To date, thousands of students have studied Manduca sexta in the classroom. The program's success is a direct result of the teachers' dedication, creativity, and energy in developing lessons and in recruiting and training other teachers. We hope that these participating teachers will continue to share their ideas with us and with each other as we introduce The Manduca Project to a wider audience across the country.

About the MP