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Insect Fair Inspires Future Students - Sept. 2006
September 1, 2006
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Can attending a fair change your life? Possibly, when the fair is an educational extravaganza about the fascinating world of insects, say organizers of Penn State’s The Great Insect Fair.
Sponsored by the College of Agricultural Sciences' entomology department, the fair is celebrating its thirteenth year. According to Steve Jacobs, a senior extension associate with the entomology department and event organizer, two current students in the department are pursuing careers in entomology as a result of participating in the fair.
Amanda Bachmann, a Ph.D. candidate in entomology, is a native of State College and grew up attending the fair. “I participated every year, only missing the event while I was away obtaining my undergraduate degree in biology from Case Western,” she says. “I loved holding the Madagascar hissing cockroaches and playing with the various insects. This year I’ll be returning to the fair as a volunteer, which is very exciting,” Bachmann says.
Another student, Hannah Stout, also became more interested in a career in entomology after attending a fair. “I’ve always been interested in insects and I’d heard about the fair, but wasn’t able to attend one until 2004,” she says. “After the fair and seeing what the department was all about, I started on my application essay that night.” Stout, a Ph.D. candidate studying mayflies, has an undergraduate degree in biobehavioral health from Penn State. She lives in nearby Tyrone, Pa.
“Bugs Bite”, the theme of this year’s The Great Insect Fair, the fair takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sept. 23 in the Snider Agricultural Arena, at the corner of Park Avenue and Fox Hollow Road (across from Beaver Stadium) on the University Park campus. The fair will feature various biting and stinging insects such as bees, fleas, wasps, bed bugs, spiders, mosquitoes and ticks. Visitors will get to watch live-action images of spiders pouncing on their prey, bees stinging other insects and more projected onto a 10-foot screen. “People are fascinated by insects but are often afraid of being bit. In actuality, very few insects bite or sting. We’re focusing this year’s fair on these biting insects and how to avoid them,” Jacobs explains.
Organizers say fun and interactive events are being planned to appeal to people of all ages:
• 10-foot-tall Fangs and Stingers – Being projected live on screen!
• IPM/Pesticide Safety Putt Putt - Test your golf skills and pesticide safety knowledge.
• Cockroach Races – A Great Insect Fair favorite is back by popular demand!
• Insect Olympics - A series of Olympic "events" including Haulin’ Pollen and Grasshopper Hop
• Insect Petting Zoo - See and touch many fascinating, live insects from around the world.
• Honey Bee Display - See the honey bees dance and sample different types of honey!
• Insect Deli - Featuring critter cuisine such as mealworm stir fry and our infamous "Chocolate Chirpies" (chocolate-covered crickets).
• Build-A-Bug Contest - Bring your homemade insect for judging and a chance to win prizes (for rules and guidelines, visit Web site http://entscied.cas.psu.edu/BAB.html).
• Musical entertainment – Featuring Tommy Wareham and Tom Baker and other local talent
• Children's games and activities - Kids can enjoy face painting, games and make their own insect hats and puppets.
• Insect vendors - Shop for insect pets, insect arts, crafts, books and t-shirts.
• The BugMobile! - Learn about insects and integrated pest management while chatting with the one and only talking car.
• Ladybug Theatre – Students from the Delta Program (State College Area High School) perform humorous insect skits.
Admission to the Great Insect Fair is free, although donations will be accepted to help defray costs. Free parking is available at the Snider Agricultural Arena and across Park Avenue behind the Centre County/Penn State Visitor Center. For more information, call the entomology department at (814) 865-1895 or visit the Web at http://entscied.cas.psu.edu/.