Evaluating cooperating teachers’ perceptions of pest management curriculum and supports to improve teacher continuation and project sustainability

"Educate to Eradicate" is a K-12 curriculum project using termite biology and control as the basis for science education that has been implemented in over 350 Hawaii public school classrooms with 10,000 students; and is coupled with community outreach efforts. Teacher focus groups were organized to assess “Educate to Eradicate” curriculum design and professional development implementation. Perceptions of key project components and supports were recorded during four teacher focus groups. Possible automated project supports useful for continued curriculum implementation are summarized and rated. The goal of this program is a self-sustaining curriculum that will require limited institutional inputs, increase science literacy in Hawaii schools, and help to protect current and future homeowners from termite damages.