Inspire students by practicing real-world science with the Monarch Larva Monitoring Project. Find out how scientists are working with volunteers from across North America to understand why the monarch butterfly population is declining and to help protect them from further decline. Learn more with this video produced for American Spring LIVE.

Support materials from the Monarch Larva Monitoring Project are available, including resources for using citizen science to engage students with STEM practices and real-world research. There are tools to help students identify the stages of the monarch life cycle, tips for finding and working with local scientists, and more. The Driven to Discover: Monarchs materials from University of Minnesota Extension are comprehensive and include information on how to participate in the Monarch Larva Monitoring Project; see suggested selections in the teaching tips. In the accompanying classroom activity, students use their observation skills to look for monarchs on local milkweed, the larvae’s required food source. 

For students who are new to citizen science, see introductory activities for Grades K-5 or 6-12, included with this resource.