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PIE students build bug abodes

A large group of children and adults are gathered on a grassy hill in the foreground, with a lake and trees forming the background under a clear blue sky.

Mountain Lake Park was buzzing (and chittering, trilling, droning, squeaking...) with entomological excitement on Tuesday, as PIE 1/2 students from Sanfordville Elementary gathered to cut the ribbon on their all-new, hand-crafted bug house development! 

The event, at which the students were joined by tons of parents, some town officials, and a few invaluable park volunteers, was a sunny celebration of community, STEM learning, and environmental stewardship. After being bused out to Mountain Lake Park, the students met up with Town of Warwick Recreation Director Samantha "Sam" Walter, who led everyone to a lakeside amphitheater adjacent to the trail head.

“This is one of the most beautiful town parks in Warwick,” said Ms. Walter, recognizing a few familiar park-goers in the crcwod. “I know a bunch of you from the pool in the summertime, right? So it’s great to have you out at the park today!”

The bug house project brought together the students and community members in a creative and collaborative effort. Over several weeks, the PIE 1&2 classes designed and built their bug houses out of wood and other natural materials. The project was a part of the PIE students earning their agricultural learning badges (Ag Badges)! Along with their hands-on activity, the students also learned about habitats, ecosystems, biodiversity, and the importance of providing shelter for beneficial insects. 

Three young girls examine a row of miniature fairy houses, adorned with natural elements, displayed on a dark wooden counter against a blurred background.

As the houses were about to be installed along the trail, Ms. Walter explained, “They are amazing, beautiful houses that insects will love. Not just bugs; frogs, toads, salamanders, even little squirrels, things like that are going to really love those houses!”

She continued, describing the park’s community as a living ecosystem, which is, in turn, part of an even larger ecosystem, the Warwick community: “And you need fresh water, you need open space, you need fresh air, you need the support of people in the community... that's an ecosystem.”

Ms. Walter then introduced a couple of important members of the community who had made the project possible, Sanfordville teacher Donna Denny and Town of Warwick Supervisor Jesse Dwyer. Ms. Denny described how the project was sparked by a collaboration with the school district's Agricultural Education Consultant Nancy Colgan.

“Every time I want to do something involving nature appreciation, she and I collaborate with the other teachers. Something we've come up with is this ‘Ag Badging,'" she explained. "Each year, the students have three things to do that we, then, give them a badge for. This year, insect homes was one of our badges. This earns them their third badge; the last three badges before they move on to [PIE 3/4]."

Children and adults gather around a display of miniature nature scenes in the foreground, with a covered walkway and trees visible in the background.

Building bug houses gave students the opportunity to practice engineering skills, solve problems, and work as a team, core aspects of STEM education that encourage children to learn to ask pertinent questions, make astute observations, and solve problems, while also fostering respect for living things and laying the foundation for lifelong curiosity and learning. Mr. Dwyer also highlighted the importance of shared ownership and stewardship.

“What’s cool about this park, is it’s a town park. And does anybody know what that means?" he asked the students. "It means this is a public place, and you know who owns it? You guys do! This property is all of ours. If you live in the town of Warwick, this is your property, so we have to treat it with respect.”

Mr. Dwyer encouraged the students to care for the park as they would their own homes.

“We have to take a lot of care for this property. We have to clean it. We have to plan. We have to make really cool and fascinating projects like what you guys are working on today," he said. "It's yours and it’ll be yours forever.”

The charming bug houses now line the trail, where they will not only protect the inescts and salamanders who move in, but also delight passing hikers with their detail and creativity. The ribbon cutting was a proud moment for the students and their community, showing how collaboration and imagination can shape both the park and the young people who care for it.

More Photos

Four young girls smile while sitting on a wooden floor in front of a display of miniature houses, with a dark wooden wall behind them.
Children and adults sit on benches in the foreground under a covered pavilion, while two women stand and speak in the background with a lake and trees visible beyond.
Children and adults admire a row of miniature nature-themed displays set up along a covered walkway with trees visible in the background.
A man gestures to a group of children with a lake and trees in the background.
Children and adults gather around a display of miniature nature scenes in the foreground, with a covered walkway and trees visible in the background.
A smiling man and a young girl pose in the foreground, with a rustic display and a bright background behind them.
A whimsical fairy house made of wood and stones sits on a log in the foreground, with a boat-like structure made of twigs and bark to its left, all set against a dark, blurry background.
Two whimsical, miniature wooden houses adorned with natural elements like moss, twigs, and dried fruit sit on a dark surface, with a blurred background of wooden structures and a hint of greenery.
Miniature rustic fairy houses adorned with natural elements sit on a dark surface in front of a dimly lit, unfinished interior.
Two whimsical, rustic birdhouses adorned with shells and pinecones sit on a dark surface in the foreground, with a blurred background of wooden beams and structures.
Two whimsical, miniature wooden houses adorned with natural elements sit on a dark surface, with a blurred, dark background.
A large group of children and adults are gathered on a grassy hill in the foreground, with a lake and trees forming the background under a clear blue sky.
A row of whimsical, handcrafted fairy houses adorned with moss and natural elements sits on a weathered wooden ledge, with a dimly lit, unfinished interior visible in the background.
Three young girls examine a row of miniature fairy houses, adorned with natural elements, displayed on a dark wooden counter against a blurred background.
Children gather around a long display of miniature scenes in the foreground, with adults and a body of water visible in the background.
Three whimsical, miniature wooden houses decorated with natural elements like leaves, pinecones, and dried fruit sit on a dark, textured surface, with a blurred indoor background featuring a doorway.
Two miniature fairy houses with mossy roofs and wooden ladders sit on a dark surface, with a blurred background of what appears to be a workshop or storage area.
Children and adults admire a miniature fairy garden display in the foreground, with a covered walkway and trees visible in the background.