Teaming With Insects: Entomology for Grades 3–12 is written for youth who enjoy learning about and studying science and nature. Insects have been around for millions of years and have evolved and adapted to many different habitats. Adaptations involving their anatomy, physiology, and behavior are what make insects so diverse and interesting. More than 1 million species of insects are known to scientists, and they believe there may be up to 40 million more we have yet to discover. Most people consider insects pests, and some insects do damage to homes, plants, crops, and stored foods. Others harm humans and animals by biting, stinging, and spreading diseases. The vast majority of insects, however, are beneficial to our ecosystem, and a few, such as honeybees and silkworms, provide direct economic benefits to humans.
This book is divided into four easy-to-use sections, each of which is designed with a specific purpose in mind and is tailored to a particular grade level. The first section is geared to students in grades 3 through 5. It introduces young readers to the world of insects, examining their physical appearance and movement. Level 2, intended for individuals in grades 6 through 8, demonstrates how to make insect collection tools and expands on the basic concepts of biodiversity, invasive species, integrated pest management, and forensic entomology. Suited for students in grades 9 through 12, level 3 focuses on using the scientific method, supplying reference materials for personalized learning and further research. The final section presented in Teaming With Insects, the facilitator's guide, provides suggestions and answers to the youth activities as well as information about working with future entomologists.