DATE:     1/13/04
CONTACT:  Dr. Geoff Zehnder, (864) 656-6644; zehnder@clemson.edu
WRITER:   Janet McLeod Scott, (864) 656-5067; jscott@clemson.edu
EDITOR:   Diane Palmer, (864) 656-4741; spalmer@clemson.edu

Clemson professor gets grant
to teach kids about insects

     CLEMSON -- A Clemson University professor has received a grant to
teach kids about insects and integrated pest management (IPM) in urban
and landscape settings.
     Geoff Zehnder, coordinator of the Clemson University Integrated
Pest Management (IPM) Program, was awarded a USDA-Southern Region grant
to teach IPM basics to children in two Pickens County schools --
Forest Acres Elementary and Central Elementary.
     The goal will be to plan, develop, implement and evaluate a
discovery-based learning curriculum for children in grades K-5.
     Integrated pest management reduces pest problems by a variety of
methods that take into consideration the biology and ecology of the
pests, often reducing or completely eliminating the need for
pesticides.
      "Unfortunately, many adults are not aware of IPM and its
benefits," said Janet McLeod Scott, associate program coordinator for
IPM. "In addition, adults often have preconceived negative attitudes
about pests that are difficult to eliminate. Children are more likely
to be receptive to information on IPM and its environmental and health
benefits."
     She said that children who are educated about pests and IPM will
be more likely to tolerate low level pest infestations and less likely
to apply pesticides unnecessarily or unsafely when they become adults.
     Zehnder will be collaborating with the South Carolina Department
of Education and the two Pickens County schools, which will serve as a
pilot program. If successful, IPM will be incorporated into the K-5
science curriculum on a statewide basis.
     As a kickoff for the grant, there will be a "Bug Fair" at Forest
Acres Elementary School in Easley on Jan. 20 from 6 to 8 p.m. This
event will introduce the children and their parents to integrated pest
management via the world of insects.
     Activities will include live insect displays as well as freshly
prepared insect recipes for the adventurous palate. There will also be
hands-on activities with trail-following termites, moonflower
pollination, insect communication, insect location, monarch migration
and T-shirts, to name a few.
     Collaborators for the project include the Genetics and
Biochemistry Department and Amy Nichols, Pat Zungoli and Eric Benson of
the Entomology, Soils and Plant Sciences Department.
                              END