Our Impact
The Caterpillar Lab inspires a deeper connection to the natural world by revealing the beauty, intricacy, and importance of local ecosystems through live caterpillar education and stunning visual storytelling. The Lab inspires an appreciation for local nature and highlights the connection between understanding, caring for, and protecting the natural world.
CATERPILLARS
They are diverse and fantastical creatures that are little known and stay hidden from everyday view. Their relative obscurity makes caterpillars great teaching tools – learners are surprised by these new and colorful organisms and are drawn into learning opportunities by an innate curiosity that we all share.
EDUCATION
From walks and talks, to classroom visits, to multi-week museum exhibits, we individualize each program to our client’s specific goals and audience, meaning that every experience with The Caterpillar Lab is unique! Our programs are known for their barrier-free, open-air caterpillar exhibits and knowledgeable staff that guide visitors to explore local ecology up close, while our digital microscopes help share the stories we might be too big to notice.
SCIENCE
The Caterpillar Lab is a powerful support for both professional researchers and natural history enthusiasts in New England and beyond. We collaborate with other professionals interested in caterpillar evolution, behavior, and regional ecology, providing materials and know-how, gaining the most up-to-date knowledge to share in our educational work in return. The Lab also serves as a hub and model for varied caterpillar-related careers and projects.
ART
It all started with the photographs. After realizing the excitement generated by his work, Sam Jaffe began to show live caterpillars at gallery openings. Art and illustration were once central to the study of Natural History. The Caterpillar Lab hopes to carry on this tradition and see it thrive again.