"Micro Worlds" Investigative Lab

University of Michigan Museum of Natural History

A small glass case containing objects and images about plan defense, plus a picture of Rosy with the caption "Meet Rosy: An Expert in Plant Defense." Above the display, a giant magnet reads "How do plants defend themselves?

In Spring 2025, I collaborated with UMMNH staff to design a kids activity focused on the tiny structures involved in plant defense. We prepared bilingual (English/Spanish) activity sheets that prompted kids to explore answers to the question “How do plants defend themselves?" and introduced them to four types of plant defense via a mini exhibit about my research. I also responded to visitor questions about plants in the museum’s monthly newsletter, which reaches 14,000 subscribers.

Click on the thumbnails to view some of the over 500(!) drawings from visitors:

A worksheet in Spanish prompts the reader to "Dibuja una planta imaginaria defendiendose." Six-year-old Nora has drawn a plant on a yellow and blue background with a little magnifying glass highlighting spiky hairs.

A worksheet prompting the visitor to "Draw and imaginary plant defending itself." A 6 and two sevenths year-old with an illegible name has drawn a plant throwing acid. Below, in a space labeled "ask a scientist", they ask "When it bites do plants kill you?"

A worksheet prompting the visitor to "Draw and imaginary plant defending itself." Nine-year-old Eliana has drawn a two-panel cartoon of a plant punching a bird. Under the section titled "ask a scientist", Eliana asks "Why does plants have defense?"

A worksheet prompting the visitor to "Draw and imaginary plant defending itself." Isabella B., age unknown, has made a detailed drawing of flowers bearing shields and swords as they yell "Storm the Gates!" Below, in a space labeled "ask a scientist", they ask "Will the plants bring honor and glory to their house?"