Friend or foe? Spiders are often judged based on their looks; however, fourth graders at Glen Dale Elementary School recently learned how helpful the eight-legged creatures can be to humans.

As the sun began to rise, the elementary students participated in an exciting spider hunt on the school's playground. Equipped with a flashlight, curiosity and a sharp eye, the fourth-grade students explored the grounds to observe spiders in their natural habitats.

The outdoor activity shifted some of the students' perspectives. They discovered spiders act as nature's pest control, eating harmful insects that destroy crops and bother humans.

By the end of the expedition, the playground spider hunt turned an ordinary science lesson into a memorable, hands-on appreciation for some of nature's most misunderstood helpers.