Science

Goliath Stick Insect Visit to Shepparton East Primary School:

Since our first hatchings last year, we have seen our population of Goliath Stick Insects grow and grow! We originally started with a small population of 5 – one female and 4 males – two years ago. Goliath stick insects’ lifespan is between 12-18 months and it takes 12 months for any eggs to hatch. Since then, we have successfully hatched and raised 31 insects. They have visited Mrs Amadei’s Year 7 science classes many times and have been a source of some excitement and amusement for classes in F5.

Last week saw six young members of the population move from Wanganui Park Secondary College’s science rooms to Shepparton East Primary School to be raised by their students and teachers.  This was followed by a visit and presentation from Mrs Amadei to a number of classes - some of which have two new invertebrate members. The primary school students were very excited and had lots of questions. The teachers were shocked at how big their little insects would be – one remarked that they would need a bigger enclosure!

We wish them luck and hope they become an exciting part of their classrooms as the insects grow, moult and mature.

Special thanks go to Curtley Allen from Shepparton East Primary School for organising the new class pets and Mrs Amadei’s visit.