Prepared Slides - Insects PK12

This engaging Prepared Slides - Insects set is a captivating introduction to the microscopic world of entomology for young learners. Designed to spark curiosity and promote scientific exploration, the set includes 12 ready-to-use plastic microscope slides that allow children to safely examine various parts of insects in vivid detail. Each slide features a securely sealed sample with a corresponding image of the insect it was sourced from, ensuring students can easily associate the magnified part with its whole organism. With vibrant colours and clear labels, these slides offer a rich, hands-on learning experience that brings science to life in the classroom.

Children can use these slides to explore the physical structures of a diverse range of insects including butterflies, dragonflies, honeybees, and locusts. Through observation and analysis, students can investigate similarities and differences between insect species, understand the function of specific anatomical parts, and develop foundational skills in scientific inquiry. This activity encourages critical thinking, observation, and classification - essential components of early biology education.

Educational Benefits

• Supports early STEM learning through guided microscope exploration
• Enhances fine motor skills, observation and recording techniques
• Introduces children to insect anatomy and biological comparison
• Develops vocabulary around entomology and scientific investigation

Classroom Ideas

• Incorporate into mini science units about insects or life cycles
• Use slides during stations or rotations for hands-on microscope practice
• Encourage students to draw and label what they observe
• Pair with outdoor insect hunts and compare real insects to slides
• Create a science journal activity where students document observations and questions

Specifications

• Includes 12 plastic slides:
• Butterfly: Antenna, Leg, Wings
• Dragonfly: Abdomen, Leg, Wing
• Honeybee: Antenna, Leg, Wing
• Locust: Antenna, Leg, Wing
• Slide dimensions: 5.7cm long
• Materials: Plastic with sealed, pre-mounted samples and image labels
• Age suitability: 5-11 years
• No preparation required - slides are ready to use out of the box