The Importance of Insect Diversity Through the Scope of Children
Maryana Hernandez and Courtney Hesson
Insects are one of the most important and diverse groups of the arthropod phylum serving many beneficial roles not only to humans but to the ecosystems they inhabit. In spite of their vital importance to virtually everything in the world, insects are undergoing an unparalleled rate of decline with a number of species on the verge of extinction. This study investigated the popularity of insects among kids as well as their knowledge prior to their cooperation in this study with us. The study was performed in conjunction with the outreach group Super Science Kids (SSK), whose goal is to bring the passion and significance of science to children located in at-risk communities. There were three different locations in Georgia that we visited. Within each location, the participating children were given an initial anonymous survey that questions their exiting knowledge and presumption of insects. Following the survey, the participants were presented a short PowerPoint where they learned the basics of insect life and the different roles they play in our lives. The children were then briefed on how they would assist the research group collect insects for Wolbachia studies. Each participant was provided a net and an acetone jar and were given two weeks to collect as much insect as they could. Following the two weeks, the insects were collected, and the children were given the same survey again to see if their opinions and knowledge had changed over the course of the project. The results showed that the majority of the children had changed their opinions or had learned more about insects after participating in this project. With these results it could be that taking the time to explain the significance of insect diversity is the first step towards insect conservation.