Readers are asked to think of how courses or educational materials they want to deliver could be delivered using this proposed format. Insects are ideal vehicles for educators to teach children science process skills. Insects are everywhere, thus they are often seen by children. The interesting biology of insects and their relatives, their color, structure, and unique and often bazaar behaviors fascinates children. An example is the caterpillar that is busily eating and paying no attention to onlookers and, in some cases, a few pokes of the finger.
Children are also interested in things that fly and certainly many insects fly as adults.
These fascinating and stimulating traits of insects cause children to make careful observations, ask questions based on these observations, and attempt to find answers to their own questions. In other words, they are doing science. Thus, having the ideal subject to engage students in real science, the next step was to decide the best way to teach educators how to use insects in the classroom and outdoor setting. Examination of our general entomology course at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst revealed that, as presented, this course would not meet the needs of teachers. It was decided that a separate course should be established for inservice, as well as future teachers.