The Butterfly Project was developed by Paul Switzer, Biology Department, Eastern Illinois University and is being field tested by STAR teachers and students.  Butterfly traps were provided to each school and were set in an area within the school property.  Students checked the trap once each day for 15 trap days in late August, September, and/or early October.  They recorded the date, time of trap set up, time of trap check, weather data over the trapping period (including max/min temp, max wind speed, max/min relative humidity, and total precipitation), and total number of butterflies caught (regardless of species). Students recorded data for each butterfly caught (new or recapture).  For each new butterfly caught, it was recorded as a “new capture” and they listed the date of capture and species. If they caught a butterfly species not on the datasheet, they recorded it as “other species” and listed the species name in the “comments” column.  Students marked new captures with a number on the underside of their right hindwing with a black sharpie and recorded the individual’s number on the datasheet.  For each recaptured individual, students recorded it as a “recapture” and listed the date, species, and individual number.

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