We are big fans of citizen science! Of course, science is always cool, and STEM/STEAM projects are an increasing part of everyone’s work and school experiences. So understanding how science works is not just fun, but a good way to understand what is going on in the world around us all.
So we are sharing some neat science you can do, contributing toward large projects, and learning new things. Maybe you can use this today; maybe you will save it for later. As long as you enjoy some exploration and learning new things – citizen science is for you! And it is definitely something you can use to bring some good programming to your library.
You have a huge world of different bugs living in your own area – and this citizen science project can let you help to identify them and share that information! Check out Bugs in Our Backyards.
| Goal | Involve the public in survey of insect biodiversity |
|---|---|
| Task | Report location, number, etc. of bugs and/or common host plants. |
| Where | View map… |
| Description | Bugs In Our Backyard is an educational outreach and collaborative research program, providing project-based learning opportunities for K-12 students– or anyone! The core activity for Bugs In Our Backyard takes advantage of the bugs in your own backyard, schoolyard or neighborhood. Students become citizen-scientists by surveying this diversity of insects and plants. How much insect diversity can you find? How does insect diversity vary over time? How does insect diversity vary across geographic and urban scales? These are some of the questions that can be asked. The survey targets are “true bugs” (what entomologists call Heteroptera) in the eastern US, but activities are designed to be open-ended. Everyone is welcome to get involved. Let’s expand what we know about about insect diversity across rural and urban landscapes! BioB is part of an NSF-funded research program at Colby College, which will also provide students with insight into the practice of science. Our goal is to engage students with biology by making them citizen scientists. Get involved in ecological surveys of local bugs and their host plants! Produce data to contribute to a growing community database. Connect to the biological diversity in your own backyard! A series of modular activities on different life science topics, such as biodiversity, growth and development, invasive species, genetics, insects, evolution, urban ecology and statistical analysis, are also being produced. These modules can be scaled to the needs of different classes and grade-levels or used over multiple grade-levels. For older students, survey data are available to be used in hypothesis-testing or exploratory analyses. Teachers are encouraged to modify the activities to their own needs and share success stories. See less |
| How to get started | Instructions on making insect surveys are available on our website. Taking pictures of the insects you find is optional, but encouraged. Your findings and optional images can be uploaded on are website as well. |
| Social Media | Follow Bugs In Our Backyard on Twitter Find Bugs In Our Backyard on Facebook Follow the Bugs In Our Backyard |
| Total expense | 0.00 |
| Ideal Age Group | Elementary school (6 – 10 years), Families, High school (14 – 17 years), Graduate students, Seniors, Adults, College, Middle school (11 – 13 years), |
| Spend the time | Outdoors |
| Type of Activity | At a science center, zoo or aquarium, At school, On a walk, run, At home, On a hike, While fishing, At night, At the beach, |
|---|---|
| Topics | Education, Nature & Outdoors, Insects & Pollinators, Ecology & Environment, Animals, Biology, |
| Classroom Materials | https://www.bugsinourbackyard.org/modules/ |
Whether you are kind of scared of bugs, or enjoy the diversity and beauty they can display – this is a project for you! How can you connect this to your library and to the interests of students and patrons? We have some ideas!
- Set up a display of insect materials.
- Put out a collection of tools to use in studying insects, including magnifying glasses, charts of different bugs, colored pencils, etc.
- Draw pictures of the insects found in your yard or general area.
- Write out a definition of what a insects is. How is it different from other creatures?
- Find recipes that can be made with different kinds of insects. If possible, order some edible bugs for everyone who wants it to try.
- Look up some history about insects that have been part of disasters, such as locust eating all the crops in an area, and other situations.
- Bring in some microscopes to look at insects in detail.
- What kinds of insects do you want to bring to a garden to help out?
- Find out some insects facts: what is the most common species of bugs? what are the biggest bugs? what are the smallest ones? do they hibernate for the winter?