Teacher Resources
compiled by Maya Merritt for the North Carolina Entomological
Society
Using insects in the classroom is a fun and easy way to get across many biology concepts. Click on the links below to access experiments and activities to use in your classroom. The target audience is introductory high school biology students, but lessons can be altered to fit other ages.
| Easy Classroom Demonstrations |
Short Term Experiments
The Berlese Extraction: Students make and test hypotheses about soil dweller density and diversity. See how to set up a Berlese Funnel here.Roly Poly Taxis: Students test roly poly affinity for chosen chemicals and then develop and test their own hypotheses related to roly poly movement in response to other environmental factors.
Learning in Cockroaches: Students test cockroach navigation through Y and E mazes.
Factors Affecting Brine Shrimp Hatching: Students test factors affecting brine shrimp hatching and development.
Ant Locomotion: Students are given ground rules and then let loose to develop their own testable experiment to determine how fast ants move.
Long Term Experiments
The Corn Ear Worm Project: Students choose variables to see if they will affect the rate of corn ear worm metamorphosis.
The Milkweed Bug Project: Students choose variables to see if they will affect the rate of milkweed bug metamorphosis.
Flour Beetles: Students observe and test variables related to flour beetle behavior and growth.
The Insect Newspaper: Students learn about some of the major orders of insects while creating a newspaper.
The World of Parasites: Students view a Powerpoint presentation and create a life cycle project related to arthropod parasites or arthropod vectors.
Powerpoint Presentation
Powerpoint Presentation Handout
Student Assignment Explanation
Insects, Disease, and History: Learn about the role insects have had in determining world events.
Making Insect Collections: Use the suggested links below to learn a variety of pinning techniques to display insects.
Insect Collection, Habitat Study, and Site Monitoring: Follow the links on this site for tips on collecting, pinning, and identifying insects.
Make an Insect Collection: Follow these instructions for collecting and pinning insects to make an insect collection. You can also learn how to make a relaxing chamber.
Pinning Insects: Diagrams show correct pinning techniques for a variety of common insects.
Spreading Butterflies: Learn the correct techniques to relax and spread butterfly specimens. Further diagrams and verbal instructions are provided at this site.
Termite Taxis: An easy activity to show students termite movement in response to chemicals.
Endosymbiosis and Termites: Follow these instructions so students can observe the symbiotic protozoa living within a termite's gut.
Museum of Life and Science: This Durham museum boasts the Magic Wings Butterfly House and the Bayer CropScience Insectarium. Bring your students!
Museum of Natural Sciences: Located in Raleigh, this museum houses a fantastic collection of North Carolina wildlife, and includes an Arthropod Zoo. Be sure to look for information about BugFest, an annual event.
RTP Science and Math Partnership: Looking for a guest speaker? Try this resource.