I teach four sections of Entomology at the high school level. In addition to collecting specimens on campus and at home, they learn proper mounting and preservation techniques for their specimens before navigating taxonomic keys to identify them to Order and then to Family. The class is a mix of working outside with laboratory time in the classroom.
This high school level Entomology class is one of very few year-long Entomology classes in the country.
Elsewhere, Entomology is taught in the high school as a unit within Biology, Environmental Science, Agriculture, or Forensic science classes.
My Project
My Entomology students use their classroom textbook to identify insects to Order and then to taxonomic Family, but I would like them to have the opportunity to identify many of their specimens to Genus or even species. Students will use the book "California Insects" identify many of their commonly collected specimens beyond Family, to Genus or even species.
The school's growing insect collection will provide even more scientific value if most specimens can be identified to Genus or species.
Some students donate their collections to the school's collection to extend the teaching value of the specimens collected over the years.
My students would benefit by using a solid resource such as the requested books, which also provide natural history, diet, and other information. This will increase their understanding of their specimens and will provide greater probability of correct identification to even Genus or species.
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