Presented by Presented by Linda B Linda B ù ù i i Service Learning Service Learning in Entomology in Entomology
Jan 14, 2016
Presented byPresented by
Linda BLinda Bùùii
Service Learning Service Learning in Entomologyin Entomology
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Class DescriptionClass Description
• Entomology 2001: Entomology 2001: Insects in the Insects in the EnvironmentEnvironment
• Student demography: Student demography: 34 sophomore level 34 sophomore level Horticulture, RNR, Horticulture, RNR, Biology, Animal Biology, Animal Science, Plant Path., Science, Plant Path., French, and French, and Psychology studentsPsychology students
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The Project: OverviewThe Project: Overview
• Insect collection for Insect collection for BREC’s Bluebonnet BREC’s Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Swamp Nature CenterCenter
• Collection had been Collection had been promised for promised for several yearsseveral years
© LSU Center for Community Engagement, Learning, and Leadership
Why did I choose Service Learning?Why did I choose Service Learning?• Engage students in Engage students in
active learning of course active learning of course materialmaterial
• Take course concepts Take course concepts into the “real world”into the “real world”
• Build cooperation and Build cooperation and camaraderiecamaraderie
• Make students aware of Make students aware of the diversity of insects in the diversity of insects in Baton RougeBaton Rouge
• Provide a great display to Provide a great display to the Nature Centerthe Nature Center
My MotivationMy Motivation
Last Year’s College of Last Year’s College of
Ag Teaching ConferenceAg Teaching Conference
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Changing the ParadigmChanging the Paradigm• Previously students Previously students
made a personal made a personal collection that was their collection that was their sole effort and was sole effort and was usually thrown outusually thrown out
• This project required This project required them to work together them to work together to assemble a to assemble a permanent collection permanent collection that will be displayed at that will be displayed at the Nature Centerthe Nature Center
© LSU Center for Community Engagement, Learning, and Leadership
The Project: DetailsThe Project: Details• Student groups chose some Student groups chose some
insect groups to “specialize”insect groups to “specialize”• The entire class participated The entire class participated
in the installation of several in the installation of several insect trapsinsect traps
• Students were assigned a Students were assigned a group paper of “fun-facts” group paper of “fun-facts” about the insects they about the insects they collectedcollected
• The project accounted for The project accounted for 20% of their final grade20% of their final grade
© LSU Center for Community Engagement, Learning, and Leadership
Planning with the Community PartnerPlanning with the Community Partner
I visited with the managers of the I visited with the managers of the swamp prior to the semester startswamp prior to the semester start
We developed a list of what they We developed a list of what they wanted and a list of rules for thewanted and a list of rules for thestudent volunteersstudent volunteers
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Nocturnal Insects
MothsButterflies etc.
True Bugs Beetles
Results from Group EffortsResults from Group Efforts
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Additional ResultsAdditional Results
• Nine boxes of insects createdNine boxes of insects created
• Students wrote great fun factsStudents wrote great fun facts
• Students were surprised at the Students were surprised at the insect diversity at the swampinsect diversity at the swamp
© LSU Center for Community Engagement, Learning, and Leadership
Unexpected Results!Unexpected Results!• A pest control company heard that the class A pest control company heard that the class
was participating in the project, and they was participating in the project, and they donated money to cover the cost of the donated money to cover the cost of the display boxes at the Nature Centerdisplay boxes at the Nature Center
• No slackersNo slackers
• Students worked extra hard on the project Students worked extra hard on the project even with schedule problems due to even with schedule problems due to hurricaneshurricanes
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GradingGrading• Perceived effortPerceived effort
– Group effortGroup effort– Individual effortIndividual effort
• Self-evaluationSelf-evaluation
• No. insects collected and identifiedNo. insects collected and identified
• Quality of curationQuality of curation
• Weighted by number of people in Weighted by number of people in group and difficulty of insect group and difficulty of insect specialtyspecialty
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What’s Next?What’s Next?
• Insect Ecology: Spring collections focus on Insect Ecology: Spring collections focus on microhabitatsmicrohabitats
• Insects in the EnvironmentInsects in the Environment– Same project to collect and organize the Same project to collect and organize the
displaydisplay– Reflection will be more structuredReflection will be more structured
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Acknowledgements:Acknowledgements:
Jessica Jessica RossonRosson
Stacy Stacy ClaytonClayton
Michael Michael SeymourSeymour
Photos:Photos:
Graphics:Graphics:
Jim Fuxa, Marybeth Jim Fuxa, Marybeth Lima, and Carol Lima, and Carol O’neilO’neil
Michael Michael SeymourSeymour
Advice and Advice and Encouragement:Encouragement:
BREC BB Swamp Manager:BREC BB Swamp Manager:Angela EvansAngela Evans