Title | Description | Grade | |
---|---|---|---|
Biodiversity Counts | Set of activities exploring biodiversity and using calculations to demonstrate biodiversity | 4th | |
Bug Chat | Activity learning about insect communication through scent and sound. | 2nd | |
Bumblebee Boxes |
Instructions for building bumblebee boxes and making observations on the insects that use them.
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6th-12th | BumleBeeBoxes |
Classroom Hissing Cockroach | Factsheet for successful care of Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches in the classroom | K-12 | Hissing Cockroach Rearing |
CSI Orlando | Reenact a murder mystery to find out the killer using insects and forensic entomology techniques. Includes background information and additional activities on the topic. | 5th-12th | CSI Orlando Overview CSI Orlando Instructions CSI Orlando Ruler CSI Orlando Worksheet CSI Additional Activities CSI Background part1 CSI Background part2 |
Curriculum Resources | Multi-activity sources for insect learning and using insects in the classroom. | All | ABCs of Entomology (Tons of activities on a multitude of insect topics, 4-9th grade) Modify PLT for Insects (Project Learning Tree activities using insects, K-12) Monarch Resources Guide (25 resources for activities on Monarchs, K-12) Science Take-Out brochure (Inexpensive experiment kits on many topics, 7-12th grade) STEMbugs Ento Curricula (List of multi-activity insect teaching resources, K-12) |
Escaping Predation |
A fun activity demonstrating the process of natural selection using moths as an example. | 3rd-9th | Escaping Predation moth template Escaping Predation |
Gaining Traction with Beetles | Science inquiry experiment where students design a sled for beetles to drag pennies and compete to drag the most. | 5th-8th | Gaining Traction with Bess Beetles Gaining Traction Detailed |
Grasshopper “Dynamite” Dissection | Guided grasshopper dissection that can be done without a laboratory or expensive tools. | 3rd-12th | Grasshopper “Dynamite” Dissection Handouts Grasshopper “Dynamite” Dissection PowerPoint |
Gummy Bear Natural Selection | Experiment demonstrating natural selection using gummy bear candies. | 5th-10th | Gummy Bear Natural Selection Gummy Bear Hypotheses Gummy Bear data sheets Gummy Bear Excel |
ID that Skeeter | Activity providing information on the biology and importance of mosquitoes to human health. | 7th-9th | ID that Skeeter |
Insect Lifecycle Wheel | Make a working wheel demonstrating the difference between complete and incomplete metamorphosis. | 2nd-5th | Insect Lifecycle Wheel |
Maggot Art | Fun activity painting gorgeous pictures with live (clean) maggots to learn about fly lifecycles and forensic entomology. | K-6th | Maggot Art |
Mealworms from Farm to Table | Whole curriculum with several activities in logical order discussing entomophagy and insect farming. | 6th-8th | Mealworms from Farm to Table |
MegaJump Experiment | Using jumping insects to formulate and test a hypothesis. | 7th-12th | MegaJump Experiment |
Mouthparts Relay Race | Fun relay race using different kitchen items to demonstrate the 4 different kinds of insect mouthparts. | 2nd-5th | Mouthparts Relay Race |
Pests and Beneficial Insects Game | Matching game to teach the difference between helpful and harmful insects. | 2nd-5th | Pests and Beneficial Game |
Pasta Metamorphosis |
Insect-based craft using pasta to demonstrate and create the lifecycle of a butterfly. | K-4th | Metamorphosis |
Smell Me if You Can | Four related activities about insect communication. | 4th-5th | Smell Me if You Can |
Spider Personality Quiz | Short quiz to find out what kind of spider you are. Can be used to make 3 groups of students. | Any | Spider Personality Quiz |
Spots on the Fence? | Experiment with house flies to determine their food color preference and solve the mystery of the spots on the fence. | 7th-12th | Spots on the Fence |
Termite NASCAR | Experiment to determine what an insect trail pheromone does to control termite behavior. | 3rd-6th | |
The Banished Beetle | Group of activities on insect collection, identification, and conservation centered on the endangered American Burying Beetle. | 3rd-8th | Banished Beetle |
Wasp Nest Dissection | Instructions and tips on dissecting mud dauber wasp nests. | 3rd-8th | Wasp Nest Dissection |
WOWbugs | Using very small WOWbugs, teach basic microscope use to students. | 5th-12th | WOWbugs Teach Microscope |
What Pollinator Are YOU? |
Dichotomous key to several types of pollinators that can be played on the floor. | 3rd-6th | |
Using Virtual Reality to Engage and Instruct | Computer demonstration of ways to use virtual reality to engage students in entomology during outreach and teaching opportunities. | Any | Virtual Reality Information Sheet |