Introduction

This curriculum was designed for 13- to 15-year-olds. It uses the current concepts in entomology such as Integrated Pest Management (IPM), biological control, the importance of biological diversity, the importance of insects to the environment, and pesticide reduction as a stage for life skill development. Leaders may direct activities to emphasize certain life skills. It is formatted in an easy-to-follow Helperís Guide.

The major life skills covered are:

Critical thinkingó strategies for analyzing, comparing, reasoning, and reflecting focused on deciding what to believe or do
Problem solvingó clearly identifying a problem and a plan of action for resolution of the problem
Communicatingó exchanging thoughts, information, or messages between individuals; sending and receiving information using speech, writing, and gestures
Planning/organizingó a method for doing something that has been thought out ahead of time; how the parts can be put together
Teamworkó work done by two or more people, each doing parts of the whole task
Using resources wiselyó using sound judgment; not wasteful
Learning to learnó acquiring, evaluating, and using information; understanding the methods and skill for learning

Activities are designed for the club or afterschool setting, but they would also be useful as a classroom lesson. The activities do not strictly depend upon each other, and any number may be selected individually as appropriate to the group. Most groups do not participate in all the activities.

This curriculum was developed to meet the national criteria for 4-H youth development and is based on the five-step experiential learning model (experience, share, process, generalize, apply). It should also be helpful in meeting North Carolina

eighth-grade science competency goals two and four.