Prairies support an enormous diversity of organisms.
To give the students a sneak peak at this diversity, one of the activities at CERA involved taking a closer look at the numerous insects that inhabit prairie. While observing insects found on various prairie plants that they collected, the students were asked to think about how the insects might be harmful, beneficial, or have no effect on the plants. . The students recognized evidence that prairie plants are a food source for many insects and also that the plants need insects for pollination. The students were challenged by stereomicroscopes that were used to inspect the minute features of the plants and insects. Due to a couple of hard frosts, there were fewer insects around for the last group of students that visited CERA .