About Our Outreach:
The Department of Entomology provides programs throughout the year to teach the public about insects and science. Special events and presentations occur throughout the year at the university. Programs are also available for small and large groups of all ages. The department also coordinates with outside organizations and provides volunteers for science-based activities. Feel free to contact the department's outreach coordinator for information about current programs and projects or to involve the department in your activity. "Preference will be given to outreach requests that give a 3 week advance notice."
Photos from Recent Outreach:
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Highlighted Events:
- Insect Festival - The 12th Insect Festival of Arkansas will be on Thursday, October 4, 2012, from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the Pauline Whitaker Animal Science Center in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Elementary age students can experience live insects, cockroach races, and demonstrations about the applications of entomology. View pictures from past festivals at hogentomology.shutterfly.com
- SpringFest - The Department of Entomology participates in Fayetteville's annual SpringFest and provides information about the department, insects, and what you can do in your own backyard.
- Classroom Presentations - Elementary school classrooms and homeschool groups have experienced entomology through presentations in the classroom that highlight diversity and give children the chance to interact with live insects and learn the ropes of entomology.
Resources for Teachers:
To help students get the most out of outreach visits, teachers may find it helpful to have insect-themed
storytimes or hands-on activities prior to the outreach visit. Some resources that may be helpful for this are listed below.
Books about insects
- Some of our favorite books about insects are listed here (Excel File) or here (PDF).
- Many others are also available at local libraries; check the children’s non-fiction section under the call number J597.
Insect Activities
- Some potential classroom activities related to insects are described in The Insecto-files by Helaine Becker; Insect Almanac: A year-round activity guide by Monica Russo; Insectigations: 40 Hands-on Activities to Explore the Insect World, by Cindy Blobaum; and Insects (Make it Work! Science) by Andrew Haslam.
- Information on keeping insects for observation can also be found in Pet Bugs: A Kid's Guide to Catching and Keeping Touchable Insects by Sally Kneidel; Bugs as Pets (Animal Planet Pet Care Library) by Jay F. Hemdal; and Pets in a Jar: Collecting and Caring for Small Wild Animals, by Seymour Simon.
Websites
- Educational videos, online games, free teaching materials (http://www.entfdn.org/ freematerials.htm), and information on teaching awards and grants can be found at the Entomological Foundation’s website, http://www.entfdn.org/index.php.
- Coloring pages, crafts, games, and other activities for children are available at:
Outreach Coordinator Contact Information:
Adam Alford
axa036@uark.edu
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701