Presented by Linda Bùi Service Learning in Entomology.

Presented byPresented by

Linda BLinda Bùùii

Service Learning Service Learning in Entomologyin Entomology

© LSU Center for Community Engagement, Learning, and Leadership

Class DescriptionClass Description

• Entomology 2001: Entomology 2001: Insects in the Insects in the EnvironmentEnvironment

• Student demography: Student demography: 34 sophomore level 34 sophomore level Horticulture, RNR, Horticulture, RNR, Biology, Animal Biology, Animal Science, Plant Path., Science, Plant Path., French, and French, and Psychology studentsPsychology students


The Project: OverviewThe Project: Overview

• Insect collection for Insect collection for BREC’s Bluebonnet BREC’s Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Swamp Nature CenterCenter

• Collection had been Collection had been promised for promised for several yearsseveral years


Why did I choose Service Learning?Why did I choose Service Learning?• Engage students in Engage students in

active learning of course active learning of course materialmaterial

• Take course concepts Take course concepts into the “real world”into the “real world”

• Build cooperation and Build cooperation and camaraderiecamaraderie

• Make students aware of Make students aware of the diversity of insects in the diversity of insects in Baton RougeBaton Rouge

• Provide a great display to Provide a great display to the Nature Centerthe Nature Center

My MotivationMy Motivation

Last Year’s College of Last Year’s College of

Ag Teaching ConferenceAg Teaching Conference


Changing the ParadigmChanging the Paradigm• Previously students Previously students

made a personal made a personal collection that was their collection that was their sole effort and was sole effort and was usually thrown outusually thrown out

• This project required This project required them to work together them to work together to assemble a to assemble a permanent collection permanent collection that will be displayed at that will be displayed at the Nature Centerthe Nature Center


The Project: DetailsThe Project: Details• Student groups chose some Student groups chose some

insect groups to “specialize”insect groups to “specialize”• The entire class participated The entire class participated

in the installation of several in the installation of several insect trapsinsect traps

• Students were assigned a Students were assigned a group paper of “fun-facts” group paper of “fun-facts” about the insects they about the insects they collectedcollected

• The project accounted for The project accounted for 20% of their final grade20% of their final grade


Planning with the Community PartnerPlanning with the Community Partner

I visited with the managers of the I visited with the managers of the swamp prior to the semester startswamp prior to the semester start

We developed a list of what they We developed a list of what they wanted and a list of rules for thewanted and a list of rules for thestudent volunteersstudent volunteers


Nocturnal Insects

MothsButterflies etc.

True Bugs Beetles

Results from Group EffortsResults from Group Efforts


Additional ResultsAdditional Results

• Nine boxes of insects createdNine boxes of insects created

• Students wrote great fun factsStudents wrote great fun facts

• Students were surprised at the Students were surprised at the insect diversity at the swampinsect diversity at the swamp


Unexpected Results!Unexpected Results!• A pest control company heard that the class A pest control company heard that the class

was participating in the project, and they was participating in the project, and they donated money to cover the cost of the donated money to cover the cost of the display boxes at the Nature Centerdisplay boxes at the Nature Center

• No slackersNo slackers

• Students worked extra hard on the project Students worked extra hard on the project even with schedule problems due to even with schedule problems due to hurricaneshurricanes


GradingGrading• Perceived effortPerceived effort

– Group effortGroup effort– Individual effortIndividual effort

• Self-evaluationSelf-evaluation

• No. insects collected and identifiedNo. insects collected and identified

• Quality of curationQuality of curation

• Weighted by number of people in Weighted by number of people in group and difficulty of insect group and difficulty of insect specialtyspecialty


What’s Next?What’s Next?

• Insect Ecology: Spring collections focus on Insect Ecology: Spring collections focus on microhabitatsmicrohabitats

• Insects in the EnvironmentInsects in the Environment– Same project to collect and organize the Same project to collect and organize the

displaydisplay– Reflection will be more structuredReflection will be more structured


Acknowledgements:Acknowledgements:

Jessica Jessica RossonRosson

Stacy Stacy ClaytonClayton

Michael Michael SeymourSeymour

Photos:Photos:

Graphics:Graphics:

Jim Fuxa, Marybeth Jim Fuxa, Marybeth Lima, and Carol Lima, and Carol O’neilO’neil

Michael Michael SeymourSeymour

Advice and Advice and Encouragement:Encouragement:

BREC BB Swamp Manager:BREC BB Swamp Manager:Angela EvansAngela Evans

Presented by Linda Bùi Service Learning in Entomology.

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