D3005: Targeting the “pupal” stage! Entomology camp curriculum for high school students

The University of California-Riverside has a strong history of entomological education. Through the Entomology major at the university, departmental outreach events, and the annual Insect Fair in the city, the institution has long played a role in furthering the entomological edification of the city’s residents. However, education largely focuses on either children (larval) or undergraduate students (adult stage), leaving out a core demographic of potential teenaged students (pupal stage). The UC Riverside Entomology Camp was created to initially target elementary-aged children but now engages with high school students with an interest in entomology. We will be discussing the inception of the UC Riverside Entomology Camp, how it has changed and evolved over time, what the current iteration of the camp looks today, and how this camp has affected students in this very transitional stage of their life. The UCR Entomology Camp is entirely graduate student run and is dedicated to serving local students and fostering their curiosity in insects.