Beetles in focus: A collaborative approach to biodiversity education

At Augustana College, scientists and artists collaborated to promote beetle biodiversity.
Scientists surveyed local beetle populations using pitfall, baited, and light traps, documenting their ecological roles. Concurrently, visiting artists from Auburn University and Georgia Southern University captured the insects’ diversity through detailed photography, creating compelling visual narratives. A mobile ArtLab, featuring live and curated beetle specimens, drew diverse audiences, with post-event surveys revealing heightened awareness of local species and their importance. In spring 2025, biology and art students, alongside the campus community, completed a vibrant mural in the biology department, showcasing beetle diversity as a lasting educational tool. An informational booklet, developed from the project, will extend outreach beyond Augustana. The project’s success relied on genuine collaboration, grounded in mutual trust, respect, and equal partnership between scientists and artists. Key to effective science-art collaborations were clear communication, shared objectives, valuing diverse expertise, and fostering an inclusive environment that encouraged creative and scientific integration. This interdisciplinary approach not only made beetle biodiversity accessible and relatable but also established a scalable model for future projects, demonstrating how science and art can collaboratively engage non-expert audiences in conservation efforts.