A group of science scholars at Piscataway High School put their skills to the test in a real-world battle that everyone can relate to spotted lanternflies. The students of SNHS designed and built traps on some of the lantern flies' favorite trees around the school, in hopes to put a stop to their growing numbers. This year the SNHS is trying to think of ways, to give back to the community.
The students and advisor Dr. Janet Mrotek, sought assistance from an expert, Danielle Puglisi, an instructional coach from Branchburg Public Schools. Ms. Puglisi is involved in a design challenge through Rutgers University aimed at the lantern fly problem. She gave us directions and materials needed to build their traps. All the designs are different, but all try to accomplish the same goal.
On October 28th, four of the SNHS officers and Dr. Mrotek went to the traps and discovered hundreds of them on the first tree. the students used tacks and twine to attach the traps. The
concept of the design is for the bugs to crawl up the trees and the mesh is placed in a way that directs them into the water jugs, where they become trapped.
Lantern fly season ends around December and at that time, the students will see how their design works, make modifications, and will continue their efforts in the spring.
Arya Patel, SNHS Treasurer, and a Senior at PHS, said the project can be a success whether they catch a lot of bugs or just a few.
