Indicator Species
3 Activities
Grades 6 - 8
2 Hours
Learning Standards: Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)
Overview
Indicator species are integral to evaluating the health of ecosystems. They are early indicators of changing environmental conditions that may prove detrimental to other species in the same region. Insects, including dragonflies, are climate sensitive species since much of their growth and development depends on temperature.
In this lesson, students will learn about dragonflies as indicators of climate change. They will become familiar with the life cycle of a dragonfly, learn to identify different species of dragonflies, and assess dragonfly biodiversity. At each of these learning milestones, students will engage in a discussion about how rapid changes in climate conditions can be detrimental not only to dragonflies but to the success and survival of wildlife around the world.
Continue Your Journey
1
1
Mapping Dragonfly Life Cycle
In this activity, students explore a dragonfly's life cycle, considering what developing dragonflies need to survive. Students will then collaborate with their peers to create and perform a short skit that highlights the critical aspects of each dragonfly life cycle stage.
This is activity 1 of 3 in the "Indicator Species" module from City Parks Foundation.
Grades 6 - 8
1 Hour 5 Minutes
2
2
Dragonfly Species Survey
In this interactive activity, students learn how to catch and identify dragonflies, conduct a biodiversity study, and observe which dragonflies live in the area.
This is activity 2 of 3 in the "Indicator Species" module from City Parks Foundation.
Grades 6 - 8
1 Hour 20 Minutes
3
3
Dragonfly Biodiversity Calculations
In this activity, students use previously collected field data to calculate the biodiversity of dragonflies. Using what they have learned about the dragonfly life cycle and habitat, students will begin to assess how climate change can affect dragonfly populations.
This is activity 3 of 3 in the "Indicator Species" module from City Parks Foundation.
Grades 6 - 8
1 Hour
Indicator Species
Overview
Continue Your Journey
1
1
Mapping Dragonfly Life Cycle
In this activity, students explore a dragonfly's life cycle, considering what developing dragonflies need to survive. Students will then collaborate with their peers to create and perform a short skit that highlights the critical aspects of each dragonfly life cycle stage.
This is activity 1 of 3 in the "Indicator Species" module from City Parks Foundation.
Grades 6 - 8
1 Hour 5 Minutes
2
2
Dragonfly Species Survey
In this interactive activity, students learn how to catch and identify dragonflies, conduct a biodiversity study, and observe which dragonflies live in the area.
This is activity 2 of 3 in the "Indicator Species" module from City Parks Foundation.
Grades 6 - 8
1 Hour 20 Minutes
3
3
Dragonfly Biodiversity Calculations
In this activity, students use previously collected field data to calculate the biodiversity of dragonflies. Using what they have learned about the dragonfly life cycle and habitat, students will begin to assess how climate change can affect dragonfly populations.
This is activity 3 of 3 in the "Indicator Species" module from City Parks Foundation.
Grades 6 - 8
1 Hour
Copyright © 2026, Mizzen Education, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit on a mission to empower, uplift and support out-of-school time educators.
Copyright © 2026, Mizzen Education, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit on a mission to empower, uplift and support out-of-school time educators.