I serve as a co-director of the MSU Bug House. My focus is on developing and delivering educational programs centered around insects and other arthropods.
I have developed curricula for groups of all ages, from elementary school to the University level, on a variety of topics within entomology.
Below are a few examples of educational materials I have developed for outreach programs through the MSU Bug House and the Department of Entomology.
- Insect Mouthparts Activity (2018): Developed for a summer science camp, this 30-minute activity introduces different types of insect mouthparts (chewing, siphoning, piercing/sucking, sponging) and allows students to simulate their use with household materials, in order to demonstrate how each type of mouthpart functions.
- Forensic Entomology Field Trip (2019): Class field trip developed for a local high school. Activities included a presentation on the use of insects in forensic investigations, examination and identification of real maggot specimens, a mock crime scene investigation, and maggot art with live flesh fly maggots.
- Video Tour of the MSU Bug House (2020): Two-part video highlighting displays of preserved butterfly, spider, and beetle specimens, as well as live arthropods that reside in the Bug House, including tarantulas, cockroaches, and beetles.
- How do Insects See? Worksheet (2014):
Dr. Amanda R. Lorenz-Reaves 