{"id":3672,"date":"2013-05-06T08:00:12","date_gmt":"2013-05-06T08:00:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/esc-sec.ca\/wp\/2013\/05\/06\/kids-like-bugs-entomology-outreach-in-elementary-schools-part-1\/"},"modified":"2019-11-14T21:43:07","modified_gmt":"2019-11-14T21:43:07","slug":"kids-like-bugs-entomology-outreach-in-elementary-schools-part-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/esc-sec.ca\/fr\/2013\/05\/06\/kids-like-bugs-entomology-outreach-in-elementary-schools-part-1\/","title":{"rendered":"Kids like bugs: entomology outreach in elementary schools (Part 1)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Written by Chris Buddle and\u00a0Paul Manning<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

Spending time talking to kids about Entomology is ALWAYS worth it<\/strong>. If ever invited to speak at an elementary school about insects, always say \u201cyes\u201d, and in this post, we\u2019ll expand on why it\u2019s worth your time. In a second post on this topic, we\u2019ll provide some tips on how to talk to kids about bugs. \u00a0Although these posts are focused primarily at elementary school events, the ideas and tips could be expanded to community nature walks, events at an \u2018earth day\u2019 celebration, hosting a bug day in your backyard, etc.<\/p>\n

Part 1: Why talk to kids about bugs?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Most kids aren\u2019t afraid of nature<\/strong>. In our experience, elementary school kids (especially the younger grades) still have a fascination with entomology and are still curious and excited by \u2018bugs\u2019. Later in life, it seems that many kids will follow one of several paths: (a)\u00a0disinterest<\/strong>, (b)\u00a0disgust<\/strong>, or (c)\u00a0delight<\/strong>. As entomologists, in a field that is so important, getting kids to be delighted is very important.<\/p>\n

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Kids like bugs.<\/p>\n

Kids already know a lot but they like an expert to verify their findings and support their interests. In our experience, kids can get especially excited about insects because they see them all the time \u2013 they have played with them in their yards, tasted them (perhaps), and probably spend time trying to burn them with a magnifying glass.\u00a0Bugs are accessible, small, curious, and catchable<\/strong>, and thus kids learn about them \u2013 an entomologist can keep facilitating this learning.<\/p>\n

Kids are truly amazed that you can \u2018get a job<\/strong>\u2018 studying insects. This is unfathomable to them, since they don\u2019t typically get much exposure to biologists. They are exposed to limited career options (\u201cI want to play in the NHL<\/em>\u201c, \u201cI want to be a doctor<\/em>\u201c, \u201cI want to be a firefighter<\/em>\u201c) in part because our school systems often exclude the cool jobs like \u201cstream ecologist\u201d, \u201cgeologist\u201d, or \u201centomologist\u201d. The idea that you can spend time (as an adult!) collecting and curating insects (i.e., FUN STUFF) can be quite extraordinary. In our experiences, it\u2019s so painfully obvious that working outdoors with insects is simply not noticed as a real job by many people; entomologists must work to correct this. Giving kids exposure to wonderful careers (like entomology) can help encourage future scientists that there are truly enjoyable careers that involve getting ones hands dirty, and spending time outside.<\/p>\n

Entomologists have a responsibility to dispel myths about arthropods,<\/strong>\u00a0and this should start at an early age. Invariably, we get statements from kids such as \u201cMy Dad told me to stay away from\u00a0spiders \u2019cause they will bite you<\/a><\/em>\u201c, or \u201cMy aunt told me that earwigs go into your ear, so I hate them<\/em>\u201c, or \u201cI am allergic to bees because my cousin is allergic<\/em>\u201c, etc. We can bring clarity to these kinds of statements, and by offering an \u2018expert opinion\u2019 on these topics, can help kids understand the real facts about entomology.<\/p>\n

Kids are sponges:<\/strong>\u00a0it is satisfying to speak to an audience who is fully engaged and willing to soak up as much as you can provide. Bugs are a very exciting topic for kids, and they will remain interested, excited and enthused if you continue to provide good content.<\/p>\n

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Kids ask great questions<\/strong>.\u00a0 As an example, one of us (PM) recently talked about insects to an elementary school class. The class was asked to guess what was living within a gall, and to make guesses as to what they thought the gall was, and how it was formed. After one student quickly suggested that an insect was living within the gall, a flurry of wonderful questions began. Students asked questions like:<\/p>\n