Send a Monarch to Mexico!

Design your own monarch or follow a design created by: Karen Wilkensen, The Science Museum of Minnesota (Simpler) Mary Jo Blanchard, Minnetonka, Minnesota (More elaborate)

With the help of your school's art teacher, explore how your butterflies might be designed and decorated. What materials might you use to convey the fragile nature of a butterfly? What materials are needed to make sure your monarch survives its journey south, the winter months in Mexico, and its journey north next spring?

All Butterflies Must Include:

1. A message of conservation and friendship for a Mexican student, so your butterfly can serve as an ambassador of goodwill.

2. Your name and address.

3. Space for a return message from a Mexican student.

• Please print CLEARLY, or print your message on a computer, so it's easy to read.

• You may want to include these things in your message:
  
  • The distance your butterfly will travel to Mexico City (in km and miles).
    
  • Your e-mail address.
    
  • Your latitude and longitude.

  • For extra writing space
    
  • Make a tiny envelope and glue it under the butterfly's wing. Insert a letter inside.

• For fun:
  
  • "Tag" your butterfly the way a real monarch is tagged. (A self-adhesive label measuring 1 1/2" x 3" would work well.)
    
  • Write your message in Spanish.
    

How to Send Your Monarch
Preparing for the Journey South

© Journey North 1996