What is Insect Discovery?

Insect Discovery is a University of Arizona outreach program primarily for elementary school students. The program is designed to stimulate students’ scientific curiosity through hands-on activities using live and preserved insects. Children are natural scientists, and early engagement in science learning is important both to stimulate interest in a scientific career and to promote general scientific literacy. In Arizona, insects are major component of the 2nd grade science curriculum. Our program provides a variety of resources, including classroom visits, workshops and lesson plans, to help teachers make the most of their students’ fascination with the amazing and diverse world of insects.

Goals of our program:

• Encourage students to use observational, critical thinking, and problem solving skills to formulate questions and test hypotheses.

• Instill an appreciation for the tremendous diversity among insect morphologies, life histories, and behaviors.

• Encourage the pursuit of higher education by allowing interaction with university students and exposure to the campus.

What we offer:

• Classroom visits. During the fall semester each year (mid-August to mid-December), the Insect Discovery Program offers classroom visits to K-12 schools in the Tucson metropolitan area.

• Workshops. During the spring semester, we provide workshops at the University of Arizona for elementary school classes.

• Outreach events. Program staff are available year-round to participate in Family Science Nights and other free science outreach events.

• Lesson Plans.

• Photo-gallery of common insects and other arthropods in southern Arizona.

• Teaching opportunities for UA undergraduate and graduate students.

To Contact Us:
For more information about the program or to reserve an activity, please email:
Kathleen Walker, PhD krwalker@ag.arizona.edu

Our mailing address is:
Insect Discovery – Kathleen Walker
Department of Entomology, Forbes 410
University of Arizona
Tucson, AZ 85721
Office phone: 520-626-5930

___

You are visitor number:

___

Banner illustration and layout by CM Gibson, 2009.