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Title: A commitment to the future: precollegiate science educational outreach

Author
item Mankin, Richard
item WOJCIK, L - Former ARS Employee
item Fukuda, Tokuo - Tok
item Heath, Robert
item Kline, Daniel - Dan
item Shatters, Robert - Bob
item Vander Meer, Robert - Bob
item Wojcik, Daniel

Submitted to: American Entomologist
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/15/1995
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: Mankin, R.W., Wojcik, L.K., Fukuda, T., Heath, R.R., Kline, D.L., Shatters, R.G., Vander Meer, R.K., Wojcik, D.P. 1996. A commitment to the future: precollegiate science educational outreach. American Entomologist. 42:244-247.

Interpretive Summary: Educators, scientific organizations, and parents have become concerned that failure to present the full breadth and flavor of science to young students may lead to disinterest and neglect of skills important to future careers. Such concerns have prompted reforms that integrate "hands-on" inquiry-based learning experiences into the curriculum. Scientists at the USDA, Agricultural Research Service, Insect Attractants, Behavior and Basic Biology Research Laboratory, (IABBBRL), Medical and Veterinary Entomology Research Laboratory (MAVERL), and Crop Genetics and Environmental Research Unit (CGERU) in Gainesville, Florida, have contributed to these reforms and conducted a number of edcuational outreach activities. Laboratory staff set up a steering comittee to organize, conduct, improve and coordinate outreach activities. The scope of these activities is discussed.

Technical Abstract: Educators, scientific organizations, and parents have become concerned that failure to present the full breadth and flavor of science to young students may lead to disinterest and neglect of skills important to future careers. Such concerns have prompted reforms that integrate "hands-on," inquiry- based learning experiences into the curriculum. Individual researchers have contributed to these reforms and conducted educational outreach activities in many ways. This report describes some recent educational outreach activities conducted at the USDA, Agricultural Research Service (ARS) locations in Gainesville, Florida and other areas of Florida. The Gainesville location has three facilities: Insect Attractants, Behavior and Basic Biology Research Laboratory (IABBBRL), Medical and Veterinary Entomology Research Laboratory (MAVERL), and the Crop Genetics and Environmental Research Unit (CGERU) in Gainesville, Florida that have contributed to these reforms and conducted a number of educational outreac activities. Laboratory staff set up a steering committee to organize, conduct, improve and coordinate outreach activities. The scope of these activities is discussed.