Notes about SASI Saturday report

We went to the community day on Sat May 24 and took home an impressive array of critters: a young preying mantis (which we'll release shortly), baby crickets, gulf frit caterpillars, a pair of mesquite bugs and the official subject of the workshop, some tiny 10-day old silkworm caterpillars.  My kids love the workshops and the chance to see - and sometimes handle- various arthropods close up.  SASI's   collection is probably bigger than the Desert Museum's viewable set, including a nice box of leaf-cutter ants with a see-thru fungus garden.  We got to handle a Vinageroon, see an active baby Giant Hairy Scorpion, a stripy centipede, several tarantulas, many more.  

John Rhodes runs wonderful informative workshops, and Emily who takes care of the site and collection takes the time to show us around the back room and explain the care and feeding of various critters. My kids are too active to stay thru the adult talk, but the ones I've seen before are both scientific and accessible.  Dr. Barbara Terkanian was the speaker, and though we didn't see her talk, she was kind enough to talk to my daughter afterwards about observing and illustrating nature.  Dr Terkanian is both scientist and fine artist, and has an exhibit open now at I believe Blue Haven gallery.