Other Ideas for 4-H Entomology Meetings

1. Have demonstrations on how to make and use special equipment or how to perform some technique. See the section "Suggestions for Demonstrations and Illustrated Talks" for examples. Where possible, have members give the demonstrations.
2. Plan to have a talk on insects by an experienced person selected from the resource personnel.
3. Integrate entomological activities with other projects (e.g., insects and photography, first aid, insect-themed crafts, etc.)
4. Show a film on entomology, such as the Hellstrom Chronicles, videotape the Discovery channel during "Bugweek" or show popular movies with bug themes like Arachnophobia, Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, etc.
5. Build an electric light board for a changeable "insect quiz." Instructions are available from the Entomology Department.
6. Have members bring insects to meetings and give interesting information about them, such as how hard they were to find and catch, their unusual habitats or behaviors or their benefits or injuries to human welfare.
7. Study some insect thoroughly and report on its life cycle, its economic importance, how it is controlled or used to benefit humans (e.g., Colorado potato beetle, clothes moths, praying mantis, silkworm, fleas, etc.).
8. Collect cartoons, verses, jokes or postage stamps about insects and show them to members.
9. Collect and/or research insect houses (e.g., hives, galls, etc.).
10. Have an insect identification contest.
11. Have an exchange meeting where club members trade insects with each other or visiting clubs.
12. Take members on a field trip or collecting tour.
13. Play a game or have a contest about entomology. See the section "Games and Contests."
14. Have a demonstration of insects as a food source. Consult the library for references such as Why Not Eat Insects? by Holt and Entertaining With Insects by Taylor and Carter.
15. Visit an insect collection of an individual, local university or state agricultural office.
16. Visit a beekeeper to observe working with bees.
17. Have a general discussion meeting on careers in entomology.
18. Plan how the club can lead or participate in a campaign to deal with some insect problem.
19. Discuss ways insects protect themselves from their enemies; give examples (run, fly, hide, bite, sting, smell or taste bad, camouflage, mimicry, etc.).