Increasing educational outreach efforts in entomology

Abstract         The Entomology Department at Purdue University provides educational outreach opportunities to school children and the general public at several regional events and festivals every year. Purdue’s own Bug Bowl being among the largest attracts over 30,000 people. At the same time, numerous requests by educators and the general public are made for smaller events and presentations. These requests are so numerous that it is impossible to meet them all. In the past, involvement by the undergraduate entomology club, Thomas Say Entomological Society (Thomas Say) has been restricted to Bug Bowl and its members helping with the regional events put on by the department throughout the year. Recently, through collaborative efforts a more proactive approach to addressing the numerous requests and extending the reach of educational programs beyond the area surrounding Purdue has been developed. Additionally idea promotion, individual initiative, and event coordination between the Purdue Entomology Department, the Entomology Graduate Organization (EGO), and Thomas Say have resulted in increased educational outreach events in entomology as well as new additions to programs already in place (such as Bug Bowl).