Entomology Course Outline - Eva Varga

In preparation for the online Introductory Entomology course I am teaching in May, I thought you all might like a little peak into the activities we will be covering.  The online class integrates many entomology topics including insect classification for kids, an integrated pest management simulation activity, and hands-on, inquiry based projects.  Access to the YouTube videos, Flickr group, Google Docs, andProject Noah classroom will be made available to those that register.  Subscribe to our newsletter here – be sure to select the topics of most interest to you.  In the future, you can always find the Mail Chimp subscription form in the upper right corner of the sidebar.  In addition to the materials listed for each week, students should have a notebook or binder in which they can take notes, keep their work, and record their observations.

Week One

• Insect Symmetry art activity (private YouTube video); post completed work on Flickrgroup
• Review Scientific Classification
• Materials needed for the week include:
  • your choice of a paint canvas (any size 5″x5″ or larger), acrylic paints, and brushes  OR  a sheet of watercolor paper, watercolor paint, and brushes
  • graphite transfer paper

Week Two

• Live Insect Observation
  • observe and record the physical characteristics and behaviors of a live insect; notebooking page will be provided
  • sketch your insect in your journal; use the diagram Insect Anatomy to help you to label your illustration
• Introduction to Insect Collection  (long-term project); consider uploading images to my classroom on Project Noah
• Using the Insect Dichotomous Key  (private YouTube video)
• Materials needed for the week include:
  • a cricket (available at local pet supplies stores) or other insect of choice
  • optional field collection tools (instructions will be provided to build your own with household materials)

Week Three

• Insect Classification for Kids: An introduction to the common insect orders – PowerPoint presentation & accompanying notebook page
• Insect Data Collection – choose a local site and collect data on the species richness; share your results on the shared document
• Materials needed for the week include:
  • optional field collection tools (instructions will be provided to build your own with household materials)

Week Four

• Insect Life Cycles – watch the suggested videos
• Insect Wings (optional lab)

Week Five

• Integrated Pest Management activity 
• Research Assign:  Find a local example of IPM & share with the group (consider writing a blog post, a newscast video, or creating an informative poster)
• Materials needed for the week include:
  • local newspapers or magazines

Week Six

• Hot Foot, Cold Feet activity (private YouTube video)
• Share your Insect Collection project on Flickr group and/or a blog

If you should have any questions about the course, please do not hesitate to contact me.  Remember this is an online, self-directed workshop.  Participants will work through the assignments and lessons at their own pace when it is convenient to his/her schedule.