Manduca Project

The focus of the Manduca project is activate student investigation. The project is designed to spark interest in science, raise global awareness, foster critical thinking, and develop communication skills. The Manduca project works well as an independent, cooperative group, or whole classroom activity that kids and adults of all ages can enjoy. Inquiry-based science is based on generating “I wonder why”… type questions. Inquiry-based science means learning through experimentation and investigation, as well as research in the literature. No one is expected to know all of the answers! Lesson plans can de developed to learn about science, social studies, mathematics, or writing, all based on the life cycle of Manduca sexta, the tobacco hornworm.

Now let’s get started!
Raising Manduca sexta at Home
Anatomy & Life Cycle
Growth & Development
Classification & Evolutionary History
Fun Facts
Glossary

Many resources on this website were created by Professor Emeritus Walter Goodman from the Department of Entomology through grants from the Entomological Society of America. Assistance was provided by Ann Marsh, Josey Guiney, Susan Carpenter, Tracy Madison, and Tess Bashaw, as well as elementary educators in the Madison Metropolitan School District.