North Carolina Entomological Society seeks outstanding teachers!

Do you know a teacher (K-12) who uses insects in creative ways in their classroom?

If so, the North Carolina Entomological Society wants to know! We are seeking outstanding teachers who use entomological tools in their classroom, whether to teach students about the wonderful world of insects or to assist in the teaching of other concepts. Last year, we recognized 3 teachers, Susan Dixon (Western Alamance Middle School, Elon), Kathleen M. Dorn (Hunter Huss High School, Gastonia), Teresa Garrou (Hudson Elemenary, Hudson), one each for elementary, middle, and high school.

Teachers can nominate themselves or others. Strong applications typically include examples of of the insect learning activities used. This can include lesson plans, photos, example assignments, and more. Applications are due to me either via mail (NC State University, Campus Box 7630, Raleigh, NC 27695-7630) or email (hannah_burrack@ncsu.edu) by October 15, 2010. Application information can be found here. This year's awards will be presented at the NCES banquet on November 5th at the JC Raulston Arboretum and comes with a monetary award to be spent on school supplies. Travel and registration to the banquet are included in the prize, and we hope winners will be able to join us to be recognized.

More information
NCES Outstanding Teacher Award Application
North Carolina Entomological Society

NCSU Students win ESA President's Prize

Three NCSU entomology students were awarded the ESA President's Prize at the ESA National meeting held in Indianapolis, IN, December 13-16.

Nancy Maxwell, a PhD student working with Mark Abney, received the second place prize in Community and Spacial Ecology for her work on Plectris aliena.

Richard Reeves, a PhD student in my lab working on threshold revision for key tobacco insect pests, won second place in Trapping and Forecasting for his master's research on stink bug sample methodology in cotton (conducted at Clemson University).

Finally, despite a scheduling error that resulted in her placement in Phylogenetics and Evolution rather than Behavior, Eleanor Spicer, a PhD student working with Jules Silverman, won second place for her work on Dear Enemy pheromone in Asian needle and Argentine ants.