While they have only been in school for a little more than three weeks, kindergarten students at Gill Hall Elementary in the West Jefferson Hills School DIstrict are already making some transformational discoveries about the natural world.
Since the beginning of the year in August, kindergarten students have been observing caterpillars and eagerly awaiting them to form their chrysalis and become butterflies. The students have been recording the life cycle of a butterfly by taking photos on their iPads. Soon they will create their very own iMovie on the life cycle, as part of the district’s initiative to integrate technology into learning.
As the metamorphosis takes place, Gill Hall kindergarteners were introduced to Trinity Middle School student Bristol Joseph. Bristol has launched her own business in an effort to save the monarch butterfly population in western Pennsylvania. Bristol’s “Magical Milkweed Market” sells milkweed, the plant monarchs lay eggs on, for residents to grow in their own gardens. The market has been so popular that Bristol was named an 18 Under Eighteen recipient by Junior Achievement and a 2024 International Young Eco-Hero by Action for Nature.
On September 16, Bristol came to Gill Hall Elementary and spoke with the kindergarten students about the life cycle of butterflies and the role milkweed plays in the future of monarch butterflies.
As all Pennsylvania schools prepare for the adoption of new science standards, West Jefferson Hills elementary teachers have been busy exploring curricula and enhancing science instruction. By facilitating the observation of the life cycle of a butterfly, teaching about preserving and growing plants, and providing the opportunity for students to learn about Bristol’s mission, WJH educators are instilling the new science standards into their students’ core science foundation for learning future concepts.
Bristol donated milkweed plants and seeds to the Gill Hall outdoor classroom. Now the young Jaguars can work to create their own monarch butterfly garden.