OLLI-26

Welcome to our study group web page. I will be using this page to provide additional information regarding our study group. Hopefully, materials are arranged in an easy to find manner. The most recent materials will be near the top of the page. Copies of emails sent will be located near the bottom of the page. If you have additional insights about this structure, questions outside of our normal study group meetings, please use the contact form to let me know. I look forward to hearing from you.

Before October 1, please examine the materials linked below. We will meet at Singing Woods/ Tawny Oaks again at 9:30 a.m.

  • Review chapter 10 (behavior and anatomy) and chapter 12 (diversity and conservation) in our optional textbook (if you have a copy). As always, we will discuss your questions before we begin our walk through the prairie areas at Singing Woods. The forecast does call for rain; please dress appropriately.
  • Please review these questions (we will discuss if time permits). As I mentioned, these questions are designed to encourage further discussion when we meet.
  • Please send your photos of insects we encounter. I intend to continue developing this page documenting what we find. Your photos add so much more. Thank you for continuing to send them.
  • Since this is our last session, please have your questions and comments ready. I know OLLI will send out a survey, but I would greatly appreciate knowing your thoughts regarding these two items?
    • What one thing did you enjoy most about our study group?
    • What one thing would you recommend we improve the next time a similar study group is offered? Yes, I am thinking about one in spring, 2027.

Before September 24, please examine the materials linked below. We will meet at Forest Park Nature Center again at 9:30 a.m.

  • Review chapter 7 (reproduction), chapter 8 (eggs and larvae), and chapter 9 (metamorphosis) in our optional textbook (if you have a copy). As always, we will discuss your questions before we begin our walk through the prairie areas at Forest Park Nature Center.
  • Please review these questions (we will discuss if time permits). Just trying to encourage further discussion when we meet.
  • If you have not yet sent your photos of insects we encounter, please do so. I continue to flesh out the page documenting what we find and really need your help for a more complete list.

Before September 17, please examine the materials linked below. We will meet at Singing Woods/ Tawny Oaks (715 W. Singing Woods Road, Edelstein, IL). I will be in the shelter (near the parking lot). We will start at 9:30 a.m. on September 17.

  • Review chapter 5 (feeding & digestion) and chapter 6 (respiration & circulation) in our optional textbook (if you have a copy). We will discuss your questions before we walk through part of the restored prairie.
  • Please review these questions (we will discuss if time permits). If we don’t get to them, perhaps they will encourage further discussions when we meet.
  • If you have not yet sent your photos to me via email, please do so. I am developing a page documenting the species we have observed.
  • Just for fun – yes, I developed another role playing game. This one deals with pollination. Again, this is a prototype and I am always looking for feedback and suggestions for improvement. This was also developed using Twine.

Before September 10, please examine the following materials. We will meet at Forest Park Nature Center (5809 N. Forest Park Dr., Peoria Heights, IL) I will be in the shelter/ pavilion to the east of the A frame nature center. We will start at 9:30 a.m. on September 10. I will try to bring a few printed copies of the directions to Singing Woods to our next session.

Before September 3, please examine the following materials. We will meet at Peoria NEXT, room A114, We will start at 9:30 a.m. on September 3.

  • Syllabus (or as I prefer to call it – silly bus). This includes where we will meet each week. We will be moving around a bit. As the description mentioned, transportation is not provided.
  • Please complete one entry in our synonymy. What word do you think of if you need to refer to an insect, but can’t use the word insect?
  • Recommended what to bring and wear. You decide, of course, just some thoughts.
  • Link to optional book at Amazon (yes, there are other places; I encourage you to compare prices). This is just so you can see the title, the ISBN, an image of the front cover and so forth.
  • If you are able, please answer this one question before our first class (it is a Google Form).

See you on September 3 at the Peoria NEXT facility. More materials will appear after our first session. If you have any questions during or after our sessions, feel free to either use the contact form linked above or the quick question form. Both should arrive relatively quickly. I will post questions received (and a short answer where possible) on our quick question page.

For reference purposes…

Email messages I sent to our group (in case you need to refer).