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Popular Children's Publication About Pests Now Available in Spanish - February 2004
February 18, 2004
UNIVERSITY PARK, PA -- Now Spanish-speaking children can join the "Tree Hole Mosquito Patrol" while "Wising up to Worms" with the Pennsylvania IPM Program's Spanish version of the Join Our Pest Patrol publication -- Unete a Nuestra Patrulla contra las Plagas.
The publication is a fun, educational resource for Pennsylvania teachers of students in grades 3-4. Like the English version, the workbook is designed to serve two audiences; elementary school students who must learn about IPM to meet the new Academic Standards in environment and ecology, section 4.5.4, "Integrated Pest Management," and kids in 4-H programs.
Integrated Pest Management, or IPM, aims to manage pests -- such as insects, diseases, weeds and animals -- by combining physical, biological and chemical tactics that are safe, economical and environmentally compatible.
Spanish speaking 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 in English is the accompanying "Join Our Pest Patrol Teacher's 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 Join Our Pest Patrol publication in Spanish can be downloaded as printable PDF files from the PA IPM Program's web site at http://paipm.cas.psu.edu/776.html. The English version of the publication can also be downloaded at http://paipm.cas.psu.edu/776.html.
To find out more about the School IPM effort in Pennsylvania and links to educational material from across the country, go to the program's Web site at http://paipm.cas.psu.edu/154.html. Teachers will find an interactive database along with IPM background information, lesson plans and support materials.
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 Web site http://paipm.cas.psu.edu/.