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Kids & Teachers: Join Our Pest Patrol - January 2006
January 18, 2006
UNIVERSITY PARK, PA – Now kids can join the “Tree Hole Mosquito Patrol” while “Wising up to Worms” with the reprinting of Join Our Pest Patrol funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
Join Our Pest Patrol, produced by the Pennsylvania IPM Program, is a fun, educational resource for Pennsylvania teachers of students in grades 3-4. The workbook addresses the Academic Standards in environment and ecology, section 4.5.4, “Integrated Pest Management.”
Integrated pest management, or IPM, is a kid-safe, economical and scientific approach to managing pests. IPM integrates knowledge of pest identity and biology with pest monitoring so that action, if needed, can be taken at just the right time. In addition, IPM uses a combination of management tactics that are more likely to be safe and effective.
Students will learn whether a pictured insect is a “pest or guest”, find out about weeds such as dandelions and purple loosestrife and learn pesticide safety through fun and educational activities such as crossword puzzles, fill in the blanks, mazes and picture drawing.
Also available is the accompanying “Teacher Guide” that includes facts, investigations, activities and resources to support children’s curiosity and extended learning. Concepts include distinguishing weed and insect pests from beneficial plants and insects, understanding why humans want to manage pests, recognizing common pests in our homes, gardens, and neighborhoods, choosing the least toxic ways to manage pests and safeguarding against pesticide risks. The guide will help teachers better explain IPM to kids.
Copies of the publication can be downloaded as printable PDF files from the Pennsylvania IPM Program’s web site at http://paipm.cas.psu.edu/776.html. A Spanish version of the publication is also available and can be downloaded at the same Web site. You can also obtain hard copies by contacting the Pennsylvania IPM Program at (814) 865-2839, or e-mail kma147@psu.edu.
The PA IPM program's Web site at http://paipm.cas.psu.edu/ contains a wealth of information and resources for schools and child development centers adopting IPM programs. By clicking on the "Schools" link, visitors also can download "IPM for Pennsylvania Schools, A How-To Manual." The link also leads to information about the school IPM effort in Pennsylvania and to educational materials from across the country. In addition, there is an interactive database on the web site to assist teachers with IPM background information, lesson plans and support materials throughout the U.S.
The Pennsylvania IPM program is a collaboration between the Pennsylvania State University and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture aimed at promoting integrated pest management in both agricultural and nonagricultural situations. For more information, contact the program at (814) 865-2839, or visit Web site http://paipm.cas.psu.edu/ . To view our archived news releases, see Web site http://paipm.cas.psu.edu/10.html.