Exploring the Open Fields: The Freshmen Bug Project

Freshmen at Thomas Aquinas College begin their foray into natural science by reading and discussing the works of Jean Henri Fabre, a French naturalist with a particular penchant for entomological observation. But rather than focusing exclusively on his writings, they also follow Fabre into what he called the “laboratory of the open fields,” where they must observe and catch 30 insects over three weeks in the first semester. Accordingly, the members of the New England Class of 2027 recently grabbed their nets, containment vials, and jars, venturing into the “open fields” of Northfield.

After observing and catching the insects, the students must organize their collections. They can use any classification they please, from the standard grouping by wing type to more creative taxonomies, such as apparent defense mechanisms or color intensity. The project concludes with students presenting their bugs and classification system to their section — often to the sound of a few giggles. 

“I loved the bug project,” said Brendan Seeley (’27). “When we presented our projects, the whole class laughed the entire time. It was so fun to see what people had come up with!”