This short video describes how there are several sensor-like hairs inside a Venus Flytrap. It takes two touches by an insect on these hairs to cause the plant to snap shut. This feature ensures that the plant only closes on an actual meal, and does not waste its energy on a false alarm. Very interesting!
In the days that followed, we learned many more cool facts about Venus Flytraps. Another student, Violet, suggested that we create our own Venus Flytraps out of paper plates. (These were sent home earlier this week.) The children worked very hard cutting, gluing, and painting their flytraps. At the end, they used markers and stickers to add tiny, sensor-like hairs and insects. Great work and wonderful attention to detail!