What have we been doing in school today?
Today NUSTEM have been into school to share the entomologist workshop with Year 4 and their families. During the workshop, we supported the children to feel more confident that a career in STEM is for ‘people like them’ by trying some of the activities an entomologist might do in their job.
We introduced three attributes that the children may already have or can develop: observant, open-minded and hard-working.
Can your child tell you what these words mean?
By discussing STEM careers in terms of these attributes, we are encouraging children and young people to see themselves as having the skills to work in STEM.
What is an entomologist?
Entomology is the study of insects, their relationships with other animals, environments and human beings.
Entomologists find the best ways to:
- use insects to pollinate crops
- protect and conserve insect species
- protect crops, trees, wildlife, and livestock from pests.
Entomologists can work in different scientific areas including:
Structural entomologists study insects found in buildings such as cockroaches, finding ways to prevent them from entering and how to get rid of them.
Forensic entomologists help solve murder cases by studying the insects found on dead bodies to determine the timeline and location of a crime.
Medical entomologists research ways to prevent the spread of diseases like West Nile Virus from insects to people.
Activities to try at home
Build a bug hotel
You could attract bugs to your garden using things from your local environment by following our build a bug hotel instructions. You will need a 2l plastic bottle and natural materials such as sticks, pinecones or anything else you can find in your garden or local park or woods.
Make a seed bomb
Try this seed bomb activity to attract pollinators to your garden. You will need wildflower seeds, flour and compost.
