Explore entomology resources for educators, including outreach kits, curriculum, educational publications, and classroom activities for a range of ages and learning settings.
K-12 Outreach Kits
K-12 Outreach Kits
K-12 Outreach Kits About
The department offers a variety of outreach kits for K–12 educators, featuring materials and activities focused on insects and their roles in the environment. Kits are available for teachers, librarians, Extension educators, and other groups working with students. These outreach kits are available for checkout upon request.
Kit 1 and 1A: Insect Life Cycles
With this kit, students will learn about the life cycle of insects. The included “pasta” activity will illustrate that animals can go through major changes as they grow and develop. Some insects (like butterflies, but also beetles, flies, and bees) develop by complete metamorphosis with 4 life stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult.
Recommended Grade Level: PK-3
Kit 1 Contents: Instruction Binder with Activity Worksheets, Glue, Crayons, Monarch Life Cycle (plastic), Ladybug Life Cycle (plastic), Mosquito Life Cycle (plastic), Pastas (shell, rotini, bowtie), Popcorn kernels, Notepads, Insect stamps
Kit 1A Contents: Instruction Binder with Activity Worksheets, Monarch Life Cycle laminated sheets, Glue, Crayons, Monarch Life Cycle (plastic), Ladybug Life Cycle (plastic), Luna Moth Life Cycle (plastic), Flea Life Cycle (plastic life stages and blue tray), Pastas (shell, rotini, bowtie), Popcorn kernels, Notepads
Kit 2: Insect Aesthetics
Insects are diverse and have aesthetic value. This kit includes a variety of pinned specimens that demonstrate the beauty among insects. It also includes an origami activity where students can make a number of different insects.
Kit Contents: Insect collection with examples of diversity, Origami insect examples, Origami paper
Kit 3: Cockroach Tractor Pull
Many insects are capable of lifting and moving many times their body weight. At the 2012 Olympics in London, a gold medalist in men’s weightlifting (Ilya Ilyin) managed to lift 513 pounds. Elephants can lift 600 pounds with their trunk. But for their size, insects are the real champion weightlifters, some species able to lift 50 times their weight!
This kit includes an activity that demonstrates how Madagascar hissing cockroaches can carry more than their weight. Cockroach “athletes” will be provided when the kit is requested.
Recommended Grade Level: 6-8
Kit Contents: Instructions Binder, Fact sheet on hissing cockroaches, Scale, Duct tape, 6 bags/sets of washers, “sled” with string, and cup
Note: Need to check out live hissing cockroaches with this kit.
Kit 4: Insect Communication
Insects, like humans and other animals, communicate in many ways…sight, touch, smell, and sound. This kit includes an activity that demonstrates how insects like termites release pheromones to indicate to other termites where food is located or alert of danger. Termites will be provided for the activity.
Recommended Grade Level: 3-4
Kit Contents: Instructions Binder, Baggies with different ink pens (for trail comparison), Paper Small cups with lids to hold termites
Note: Need to order live termites for use with this kit
Kit 5: Be the Bee
Bees are extremely good pollinators. What traits make them so? Things such as hairy bodies and special pouches on their legs allow them to spread pollen efficiently. This kit includes a game that demonstrates how bee characteristics make them such successful pollinators.
Kit Contents: Be the Bee Instructions (laminated sheet), Bee with pipe cleaner (plastic), Bee without pipe cleaner (plastic), “Pollen” (2 bags), Two “flowers”, Honey, Feathers and “honey” sticks, Laminated sheets with pollinator information
Kit 6: Insect Basics
What makes an insect? Some unique characteristics that all insects have that separate them from other animals are an exoskeleton, 3 pairs of legs, antennae, and (usually) wings. Within the insects, there are also a variety of different types of mouthparts, wings, legs, and antennae that help species adapt to their environment.
This kit includes a number of insect models and pinned specimens demonstrating the diversity of insect design. An accompanying activity asks students to create their own insect based on what they have learned about insect anatomy and behavior (e.g., raptorial legs help grab prey in praying mantids, a predatory insect)
Recommended Grade Level: PK-2
Kit Contents: Instructions binder, 2 insect collections (wooden boxes), Laminated photo sheets, 4 bags of model insects (plastic), 3 Jeweler’s loupes, Art Supplies: Colors, Glue, Paper, Pipe cleaners, Pens and pencils, Paper cups, Scissors
Kit 7: Insect Costumes and Puppets
This kit offers a variety of costumes/clothing and puppets with an insect theme for use in your programs. Examples include ladybugs and bees.
Kit Contents: Bee puppet (2), Grasshopper puppet, Ladybug costume, Bee tie-on wings, Ladybug tie-on wings, Insect themed vests (2)
Kit 8: Insect Stamps and Rubbings
This kit is good for a booth or large group event. It includes a number of insect rubber stamps and a rubbing activity students can do with insect templates.
Kit Contents: “What is an Insect” set of laminated photos, Stamps (2 sets), Ink pad, Crayons, Paper, Clipboard, Rubbing Sheets
Kit 9: Insect Collecting and Pinning
This kit provides an insect collection for observation and large wooden insect examples to practice pinning. After learning proper collecting and pinning techniques, students can practice their skills by capturing and collecting their own specimens. Items needed for collection/pinning are included, including a field guide that can assist with identification.
Kit Contents for Box 1: Instructions binder, Insects with dowels (demonstrate proper pinning techniques), Sample insect collection with various orders, Collecting kit (pinning blocks, tweezers, vials with pins), Pin packets, Pens, Labels, Plastic bug jar ,Magnifying container, 4 Jeweler’s loupes
Note: Nets and additional kill jars are available if you wish to go collecting prior to pinning activity
Kit Contents for Box 2: Practice pinning board, Plastic kill jars, Field Guide to Insects of North America
Note: Nets and additional kill jars are available if you wish to go collecting prior to pinning activity.
Kit 10: Compost Critters
This kit includes insect containers, gloves, and digging tools for use in going through compost/soil in search of arthropods. Teach about the types of arthropods that help us in aerating soil and breaking down organic matter.
Kit Contents: Instruction Binder with Information and Activity Worksheets, Gloves, Plastic insect containers, Plastic digging tools, Pens
Kit 11: Pest Scene Investigation
This kit teaches about pest insects and integrated pest management. It also provides a look at pests using forensic science. How are pests like criminals? What are methods for finding insect evidence and how can we control insects? With a number of activities and demonstration materials, this kit provides a thorough look at what pests are, what damage they do, and how to manage them.
Recommended Grade Level: 4-7
Kit Contents: Instruction Binder with Activity Worksheets, Bag of model insects, EAB damaged wood, Laminated photos, Chocolate insects, Box of Mac and Cheese, Box of pest insect examples, Tick life cycle, Lab coat, Nitrile gloves (3 pairs), Mouse traps (4), Infested oatmeal, Safety glasses, Black sticky trap, White sticky trap, Catch Fly Guy mini fly swatters, Household and Structural Pests photo book, Magnifying glasses, Clue Spray, Glo-germ lotion, Lysol, Black light, Fly swatters, Fly trap, Combat Roach bait, Tweezers
Kit 12: Entomology Escape
Learn about insects and put your problem solving skills to work as you try to unlock boxes and find an important Entomology lab document! This kit is adjustable to 20-60 minute time frames, depending on your classroom needs.
Recommended Grade Level: 4-8
Kit Contents: Instruction Binder with Activity Worksheets, 1 Large lockable box, 1 small lockable box, 1 Alphabet Multilock, 1 Directional Multilock, 1 black UV light, 1 small blue UV light, 3 invisible ink (blacklight) pens, 1 Deck of Reflection Cards, Ladybug timer, Butterfly book diversion lockbox with key, 5 toy insects
Additional pieces available for instructor use (not part of enclosed game): 1 Hasp, 1 three-digit lock, 1 four-digit lock, 1 key lock, 1 USB thumb drive, 2 Hint cards
Kit 13: Insect Adaptation
In this lesson, students will learn about insect adaptations in regards to how insects differ from humans, how they differ from each other, and how that can change over time.
Recommended Grade Level: 3-5
Kit Contents: Insect breathing chart, Insect pictures, Insect preserved in amber, Plastic insects, Play-doh, Salt dough recipe
Kit 14: Entomophagy
More information coming soon.
Kit 15: Beneficial Insects
This kit provides information and activities about beneficial insects and related arthropods, such as pollinators, predatory insects, and spiders.
Kit Contents: Instruction Binder with Activity Worksheets, Laminated photos, Tarantula model, Bag of spider models, Bag of beneficial insect models, Bag with praying mantis ootheca
Kit 16: Live Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches
This kit is insects only.
Beneficial Insect Curriculum
Beneficial Insect Curriculum
Beneficial Insect Curriculum About
This curriculum helps 2nd–7th grade students learn about insects, their roles in ecosystems, and their relationships with plants and people. Lessons cover insect diversity, pollination, pest management, and beneficial insects.
This project was developed under Assistance Agreement No. #97768001 awarded by the Environmental Protection Agency. These activities are available upon request.
The Good, the Bad, and the Bugly
Students explore the different roles insects play in ecosystems by examining whether insects are beneficial, harmful, or simply misunderstood. Through discussion and hands-on activities, they learn how insects can serve as pollinators, predators, decomposers, and sources of food while considering how their roles affect people and the environment.
Be the Bee
Students learn how bees and other pollinators help plants produce fruits and seeds through an interactive pollination activity and game. Working as “bees,” students collect and transfer pollen while experiencing how predators, disease, pesticides, temperature, and habitat can affect bee health and their ability to pollinate plants.
Insect Diversity
Students investigate the diversity of insects and spiders by collecting and comparing specimens from different habitats, such as gardens, trees, grass, and fields. They sort and identify what they find, compare the number and types of organisms in each habitat, and explore the roles insects play as pollinators, predators, parasites, and prey.
Crop Scouting Activity
Students act as crop scouts to investigate problems affecting simulated corn fields, identifying pests, diseases, and other signs of plant damage. They use their observations to determine how farmers can make informed pest management decisions while learning about integrated pest management and the importance of monitoring crops before taking action.
Build a Wild Bee Nest
Students learn about wild bees, including the different ways solitary bees nest and the importance of providing suitable habitat for pollinators. They use basic tools and materials to construct and decorate a nest for cavity-nesting bees while exploring ways they can support wild bee populations at home.
Entomology Education Publications
Entomology Lesson Plans for Elementary Educators
A collection of standards-aligned lesson plans that introduce elementary students to insects and their roles in ecosystems.
View ResourceLittle Wings: Pollinator Science Explorations
A collection of activities that introduce Pre-K–3rd grade students to pollinators, pollination, and conservation.
View ResourceOther Entomology Activities
Explore insects and other arthropods through experiments, observations, investigations, and games. Activities are available for a range of ages and can be used in classrooms, clubs, and other educational settings. These activities are available upon request.
General Science and Entomology Activities
Squirt Gun Science Inquiry: Scientists answer questions about the world they live in by formulating hypotheses and designing experiments to test them. Formulating a hypothesis and designing an experiment to test it is the first steps in all scientific inquiry. This lesson will guide students to formulate and test a hypothesis, to identify variables that can affect their results, and to analyze the results of an experiment.
Arthropod Classes: Explore the fascinating world of arthropods by learning how to identify and classify common groups based on their physical characteristics. Students use a simple identification key to distinguish between insects, spiders, crustaceans, centipedes, millipedes, and other arthropods by comparing features such as body regions, number of legs, and antennae.
Classification Inquiry: Explore how scientists organize and name living things by looking for shared characteristics. In this inquiry-based activity, you’ll learn about the five kingdoms of life and investigate the characteristics that distinguish one group from another. Then, use the scientific classification system—from kingdom to species—to classify organisms and discover how scientists make sense of the diversity of life.
Insect Orders: How can you tell a butterfly from a beetle or a grasshopper from a praying mantis? Explore the characteristics that make different insects unique and learn how scientists group insects into orders. Use features such as wing structure, mouthparts, antennae, and legs to recognize common insect groups, including beetles, butterflies and moths, flies, bees and wasps, grasshoppers, and more.
Insect Scavenger Hunt: Head outside and discover the insects living all around you! Use clues and observation skills to find different insects and look closely at their colors, shapes, body parts, behaviors, and habitats. See how many different insects you can find and learn more about the incredible variety of insects in your own backyard or neighborhood.
Ants
Ant Food Preferences: What foods do ants prefer? In this hands-on investigation, students develop a hypothesis about ant food preferences and then observe ants choosing between different food sources. By counting ants at each food, collecting and comparing data, and discussing their findings, students practice the steps of scientific inquiry while discovering more about ant behavior and feeding preferences.
Ant Trail Marking: In this hands-on investigation, students explore how ants respond when their established trails are disrupted. Students locate an ant trail, identify a preferred food, and test two hypotheses by altering sections of the trail with soapy water and cinnamon. They observe and collect data on ant behavior, compare observations across groups, and report their findings to determine how ants respond to changes in their environment.
Bees
Bee Color Inquiry: Students investigate whether color influences bee behavior and attraction. Students make predictions, observe bee activity around different colors, collect and compare data, and report their findings to determine whether bees show a preference for particular colors.
Bee Scent Inquiry: Students investigate whether scent influences bee behavior and attraction. By exposing bees to different scents and observing their responses, students collect and compare data to explore how bees use their sense of smell.
Bee Shape Inquiry: Students investigate whether the shape of flowers or other visual stimuli influences bee behavior. Students make observations, collect data on bee activity around different shapes, and compare their findings to determine whether bees show a preference.
Bee Time Inquiry: Students investigate how the time of day may influence bee activity. By observing bees at different times and recording their activity, students collect and compare data to identify patterns in when bees are most active.
Lady Beetles
Lady Beetle Food Consumption: Students investigate how many aphids lady beetles consume and whether they prefer living or dead aphids. They observe lady beetles feeding, collect data on aphid consumption, and calculate the number of aphids consumed over time to explore the role of lady beetles as predators.
Lady Beetle Searching Behavior: Students observe lady beetles as they search for aphids and investigate how these predators locate and recognize their prey. By carefully observing and recording behavior, students develop ideas about whether lady beetles use random or systematic search patterns and which senses may help them identify prey.
Mealworms
Mealworm Development: Students investigate how temperature affects the development of mealworms as they progress through their life cycle. Students make a prediction, maintain mealworms under different temperature conditions, record when adults emerge, and compare the average development time for each temperature.
Mealworm Light and Color Preferences: Students investigate whether mealworms prefer certain light or color conditions. By providing different environmental choices and observing where mealworms spend their time, students collect and compare data to determine whether light or color influences their behavior.
Caterpillars
Caterpillar Food Consumption: Students investigate how much food caterpillars consume over time. By observing caterpillars and measuring changes in the amount of food available, students collect data and use their results to explore feeding behavior and consumption.
Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches
Hissing Cockroach Food Preferences: Students investigate which foods Madagascar hissing cockroaches prefer by offering them different food choices. Students observe and record feeding behavior, compare results, and use their data to draw conclusions about cockroach food preferences.
Hissing Cockroach Tractor Pull Olympics: Students investigate the strength and pulling ability of Madagascar hissing cockroaches through a fun tractor-pull competition. Students make observations and compare the distances or weights cockroaches can pull while exploring insect strength and movement.
Hissing Cockroach Tractor Pull Olympics Poster: This poster provides a visual resource for the Hissing Cockroach Tractor Pull Olympics activity, helping students and educators understand and participate in the insect-strength investigation.
Crickets
Crickets and Temperature: Students explore the relationship between temperature and cricket chirping. They learn how crickets produce sound and investigate whether the rate of their chirping can be used to estimate temperature by counting chirps over a set period of time.
Grasshoppers
Grasshopper Olympic Long Jump Activity: Students investigate the jumping abilities of grasshoppers through a fun “Olympic” long-jump challenge. Students observe and measure grasshopper jumps, collect and compare data, and explore how the physical characteristics and behavior of grasshoppers contribute to their ability to jump.
Millipedes
Millipede Food Preference Inquiry: Students investigate which foods millipedes prefer by offering them several different fruits or vegetables. Students observe and record feeding behavior or measure changes in food weight, replicate their observations, and use their data to draw conclusions about millipede food preferences.
Isopods
Isopod Habitat Preference: Students investigate which environmental conditions isopods prefer by providing different habitat choices. Students observe where isopods spend their time, collect and compare data, and use their findings to determine whether environmental conditions influence isopod behavior.
Isopod Light Preference: Students investigate whether isopods prefer light or dark environments. By providing different light conditions and observing where the isopods spend their time, students collect and analyze data to explore how light affects isopod behavior.
Termites
Termite Inquiry: Students conduct an investigation into termite behavior by developing a hypothesis, making observations, and collecting data. The activity encourages students to use evidence from their observations to identify patterns in termite behavior and draw conclusions.
Termite Communication: Students investigate how termites communicate with one another and how they respond to environmental cues. Through observation and experimentation, students explore termite communication and use their findings to consider how social insects coordinate their behavior.