Episode 2: Early Steps: first experiences in science with guest Frank Balestri

Planted: Finding Your Roots in STEM Careers

Join us on this episode of Planted to learn how early experiences in the natural world can ignite passion for working with plants later in life. Inspired by his experiences with collecting and raising butterflies as a youth, Frank Balestri shares how some of his early experiences, inspired him to consider a path into horticulture.

Bonus Content:

• Frank Balestri’s Profile and Favorite Plant Profile: Sweet Bay Magnolia
• Classroom Activity: How can humans positively impact butterfly populations?
• Deep Dive into Butterflies:
• • Butterfly Safari Video - Jessica, Meghan, and Frank go hunting to identify caterpillar eggs
  • Butterfly Egg and Larvae Photos (also young frank is featured in these photos)
  • Butterfly and Moth terminology decoded in this article from the Chicago Botanical Garden
  • Watch a time-lapse video of monarch metamorphosis