Educator Resources
TEACH THE FIGHT
One teacher reaches 30 students. Those 30 students reach 30 families. This is how we change neighborhoods.
EDUCATOR RESOURCES
Free tools and materials for teachers, master gardener instructors, and community educators. Help the next generation fight the invasion.
Section 1
Classroom-Ready Tools
Three tools that work well in a classroom or community meeting — on any device, no setup required.
Interactive SLF Identifier
Students answer 5 yes/no questions to determine if a mystery bug is a spotted lanternfly. Works on any device. Great for introducing scientific observation skills.
Activity Idea
Bring in photos of different insects. Have students run each one through the tool and discuss their reasoning.
GDD Season Forecaster
Enter your school's ZIP code to see how many Growing Degree Days have accumulated and what life stage SLF is in locally. Teaches climate data, phenology, and local science.
Activity Idea
Compare GDD between different cities — why does SLF emerge later in northern states? What does this tell us about climate?
Sighting Map
Show students the real-time sighting map. Discuss spread patterns, geographic clustering, and how citizen science works.
Activity Idea
Have students report a real sighting from the school grounds or neighborhood if SLF is present.
Section 2
Printable Materials
Print-ready resources you can distribute to students, post in hallways, or share with community groups.
SLF Alert Flyer
A printable neighborhood alert with life stage descriptions and what to do. Post in school hallways, community centers, or neighborhood bulletin boards.
Available formats:
Click “Print” on the flyer page and select letter paper.
Biology Field Guide (Print-Friendly)
The complete SLF biology guide — egg masses through adult stage. Each life stage with visual description, ID tips, and what to do. Suitable as a classroom handout.
Use browser print function on this page.
Section 3
Lesson Plan Ideas
Structured outlines you can adapt for your class. Not full plans — just enough to run with.
"Citizen Scientist for a Day"
Objective
Students report a real or practice SLF sighting using the Lanternfly Watch map.
Materials
Devices or computer lab, school grounds or neighborhood photos
Standards Alignment
NGSS Science Practices 3, 4, 6
Steps
- 1Review what SLF looks like (15 min → /identify)
- 2Scout the school grounds for SLF, Tree of Heaven, or egg masses (15 min)
- 3Report findings on the map (10 min)
- 4Discuss how citizen science data is used by researchers (5 min)
"The Invasive Species Network"
Objective
Students map how SLF spread from Pennsylvania to 20+ states in 10 years.
Materials
US map (printable or digital), state confirmation dates from /states page
Standards Alignment
NGSS LS2.C, ESS3.C
Steps
- 1Plot state confirmation years on US map
- 2Identify likely spread corridors (highways, rail lines)
- 3Research Tree of Heaven distribution and overlay
- 4Predict which states are next
"Egg Mass Math"
Objective
Students calculate population growth if egg masses are not controlled.
Materials
Whiteboard or worksheet
Standards Alignment
Common Core Math: multiplicative reasoning, exponential patterns
Steps
- 11 egg mass = 40 eggs = 40 nymphs
- 2If 50% survive to adult → 20 adults → 10 females → 10 egg masses next year = 10x growth per year
- 3Compare: If 3 neighbors scrape 10 egg masses each = 300 fewer adults next year
- 4Great for multiplication, exponential growth, and environmental math
"Read the Damage"
Objective
Students identify signs of SLF damage in the school's outdoor environment.
Materials
/guides/slf-damage page as reference
Standards Alignment
NGSS Science Practice 3 (Planning and Carrying Out Investigations)
Steps
- 1Review SLF damage signs using /guides/slf-damage
- 2Look for honeydew, sooty mold, and weeping wounds on trees
- 3Identify Tree of Heaven on school grounds
- 4Students create a "damage report" for the school grounds
Section 4
For Master Gardener Instructors
The following resources are particularly useful for Master Gardener demonstration gardens and community education programs:
Direct Extension Contacts
Section 5
Community Presentation Resources
Planning an HOA meeting, community garden presentation, or library talk about SLF? These resources work as presentation aids:
Use the Sighting Map as a live demo
Open Map →Print and distribute the flyer
Open Flyer →Use the Biology Guide on-screen as a visual reference
Open Guide →Share the iNaturalist SLF community
iNaturalist ↗Want a speaker or customized materials?
Contact us and we'll put together what you need.
Section 6
Request Resources
Need customized materials, a presentation, or help tailoring these resources for your curriculum? Email educators@lanternflywatch.com — we'll respond within 48 hours.
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