Bugging Out
Summer program teaches kids about insectsBy Tonee Byrnes, For the Mirror
Article Photos
Compound eyes. Three-part bodies. Three pairs of legs. Just a few of the facts local elementary-aged students learned at the Insect Investigators Camp at Mount Aloysius College Wednesday afternoon.
The insect camp, led by Carnegie Science Center's Science on the Road program, appeared for a one-day summer youth program for elementary students between first and third grade.
"It's a popular program," said Cathy Kozak, special events coordinator at the Mount. "Most kids in this age range are really excited about insects."
Jon Doctorick and Kara Evanoff with Science on the Road taught 32 elementary students about many insect facts throughout the three-hour camp.
They told students that insects have three parts, three pairs of legs and compound eyes. Doctorick and Evanoff led many activities including an ultraviolet light experiment to show the students how many insects see.
"Some bugs with their compound eyes can see in ultraviolet light," Doctorick said. "Some see in infrared, too."
He explained this as he shined the ultraviolet light on students' clothing, socks and hats to illustrate the glowing fabric that insects would see.
Another activity to show how bugs see included wearing special eyeglasses that showed the students what compound eyesight would look like.
"I thought it was kinda easy and kinda hard," said Nicholas Scaramozzino, 8, of Altoona. "I saw a lot of things."
Connor Burns, 8, of Hollidaysburg said he liked tossing a lady bug bean bag with the eyeglasses on because he couldn't see very well to hit the target.
The camp also included live crickets and an ant colony.
Evanoff and Doctorick said even the girls seem to enjoy the camp, especially when the live bugs make their appearance.
Bailie Bracken, 9, of New Florence agreed.
Bailie has a hissing cockroach at home she's taking care for her teacher.
"I took care of it all year, so my teacher said I could take it home for the summer to take care of it," she said.
"He's really nice," Bailie said of the cockroach, whose name is Bubba. "He has a personality."
Because she had the chance to take care of Bubba, Bailie said her interest in insects has grown.
"I like how I can learn about them," she said before she ran to join the next activity about grasshoppers.
Participants paid $15 to take part in the Insect Investigators Camp which was the last summer youth camp offered by Mount Aloysius College this year.
