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fitentsocamerica.bsky.social
Formal & Informal Teaching | Entomological Society of America
@fitentsocamerica.bsky.social
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The FIT pilot section connects entomology educators and researchers across classrooms, extension, outreach, and scicomm 🐜🦋📚
Learn more & join us here www.entsoc.org/membership/sections/fit
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fitentsocamerica.bsky.social
This month we’re spotlighting FIT member Teresa, whose work spans IPM, multilingual children’s books, and entomology outreach. She’s the author of Finding Sakbe and co-founder of Bugs Teaching Humans. 🐞

Scan the QR code, or go here: bit.ly/3Mp7EF3 to check out her book!

#EntSoc #ESA #FIT
Member Highlight, Teresa Aguiar-Cordero PhD Student, My research focuses on integrated pest management of pulses. Beyond my research, I am passionate about teaching and outreach in entomology. I have published a multilingual children’s book titled Finding Sakbe on Amazon, and my second book is currently in the illustration stage. I have also created educational activities for schools in Mexico, Canada, and the United States, and delivered presentations on insect biodiversity and conservation to a wide range of audiences, from children to adults in the agricultural sector. Most recently, I co-founded “Bugs Teaching Humans,” a project that combines science and art to share stories about insects and their role in our environment.
December 9, 2025 at 5:27 PM
fitentsocamerica.bsky.social
👋 Seen our posts for #EntSoc25? Love sharing all things insects? Whether you teach, post, or simply like to talk about insects, we’re your people! Update your @entsocamerica.bsky.social membership and BONUS: you can keep your main section and add #FIT for free! 🪲 #FITatEntSoc25
November 3, 2025 at 5:17 PM
fitentsocamerica.bsky.social
Come see some amazing undergrad presentations! Hear about bees in NYC 🐝, insect macrophotography 📸, and so much more!

🗓️ Mon, Nov 10
🕜 10:30AM–12:30PM PT
📍 OCC A106
🧑‍🏫 Education and Outreach

#EntSoc25 #FITatEntSoc25
November 2, 2025 at 3:57 PM
fitentsocamerica.bsky.social
We've got some amazing talks lined up on #teaching techniques, from emotion to comics -- come learn some innovative teaching tips you can use in and out of your classrooms!

🗓️ Sun, Nov 9
🕜 10AM–12PM PT
📍 OCC C124
🧑‍🏫 FIT, Teaching Tips and Techniques

#EntSoc25 #FITatEntSoc25
November 1, 2025 at 8:12 PM
fitentsocamerica.bsky.social
Another #FITatEntSoc25 section symposium abt the whats, hows, and whys of mentorship in Public Health Entomology! Join us in creating a support network among entomologists 🦟

🗓️ Sun, Nov 9
🕜 10AM - 12PM PT
📍 OCC C125–126
👨‍👩‍👧‍👧 Public Health Entomology: Mentorship Through Generations 🪲

#EntSoc25
October 31, 2025 at 2:15 PM
fitentsocamerica.bsky.social
How can entomology courses better adapt to changing student values? Come by to hear Dr. Hawkings discuss!

🗓️ Sun, Nov 9
🕜 3:46–4:04PM PT
📍 OCC C125–126
🧰 The General Entomology Toolbox: Activities and Practices for Improving a Foundational Course Symposium

#EntSoc25 #FITatEntSoc25
October 30, 2025 at 8:03 PM
fitentsocamerica.bsky.social
From summer camp -> college classes, Dr. Kirkpatrick will cover strategies on making entomology accessible!

🗓️ Sun, Nov 9
🕜 3:38–3:46PM PT
📍 OCC C125–126
🧰 The General Entomology Toolbox: Activities and Practices for Improving a Foundational Course Symposium

#EntSoc25 #FITatEntSoc25
October 29, 2025 at 4:29 PM
fitentsocamerica.bsky.social
“You do etymology?” - a Q that entomologists often get! Dr. Hjelman will share strategies on learning entomological terms

🗓️ Sun, Nov 9
🕜 3:10–3:28PM PT
📍 OCC C125–126
🧰 The General Entomology Toolbox: Activities and Practices for Improving a Foundational Course Symposium

#EntSoc25 #FITatEntSoc25
October 28, 2025 at 1:34 PM
fitentsocamerica.bsky.social
#EntSoc25 is fast approaching! We have some amazing graduate student competition talks from student recruitment to individualized learning experiences!

🗓️ Mon, Nov. 10th
🕥 10:30AM - 12:30PM
📍 OCC, C125-126

We can't wait to see everyone in Portland!

#FITatEntSoc25
October 27, 2025 at 4:45 PM
fitentsocamerica.bsky.social
Need/want to start a teaching collection? @cmtribull.bsky.social will share how she approached building one from scratch!

🗓️ Sun, Nov 9
🕜 2:52–3:10PM PT
📍 OCC C125–126
🧰 The General Entomology Toolbox: Activities and Practices for Improving a Foundational Course Symposium

#EntSoc25 #FITatEntSoc25
October 27, 2025 at 12:25 PM
fitentsocamerica.bsky.social
Stop by to hear how Dr. Cope’s class collabs w city partners to create opportunities for learning & community-building!

🗓️ Sun, Nov 9
🕜 2:29–2:47PM PT
📍 OCC C125–126
🧰 The General Entomology Toolbox: Activities and Practices for Improving a Foundational Course Symposium

#EntSoc25 #FITatEntSoc25
October 26, 2025 at 12:57 PM
fitentsocamerica.bsky.social
Dr. Holt will share on mentorship that bridges disciplines and builds confidence as we foster the next gen of scientists!

🗓️ Sun, Nov 9
🕜 2:11–2:29PM PT
📍 OCC C125–126
🧰 The General Entomology Toolbox: Activities and Practices for Improving a Foundational Course Symposium

#EntSoc25 #FITatEntSoc
October 25, 2025 at 7:40 PM
fitentsocamerica.bsky.social
Pokémon battles meet plant defense! Join us as we learn from Dr. Rotter how we can bring these games to the classroom!

🗓️ Sun, Nov 9
🕜 1:53–2:11 PM PT
📍 OCC C125–126
🧰 The General Entomology Toolbox: Activities and Practices for Improving a Foundational Course Symposium

#EntSoc25 #FITatEntSoc25
What happens when Pokémon battles and plant character development meet plant defense? Come learn from Dr. Rotter and discover how creative role-playing games bring coevolution, adaptation, and ecology to life. And we had to include his student’s feedback!: “...will never forget getting consumed by a caterpillar because they forgot to think about sequestration of chemical defenses.”
October 24, 2025 at 6:50 PM
fitentsocamerica.bsky.social
How can we make #entomology click with students? From entomemes to ento-games, Dr. Coffman’s trying it all! 🪲

🗓️ Sun, Nov 9
🕜 1:35–1:53 PM PT
📍 OCC C125–126
🧰 The General Entomology Toolbox: Activities and Practices for Improving a Foundational Course Symposium

#EntSoc25 #FITatEntSoc25 #education
How can we make entomology more engaging for today’s students? Join us for Dr. Coffman’s talk highlighting creative, active-learning approaches, from entomemes(!) to ecological card games and family feud stlyle games, that spark curiosity, critical thinking, and connection to real-world entomology in the classroom!
October 24, 2025 at 12:51 PM
fitentsocamerica.bsky.social
Curious what FIT is all about? 🪲 🧑‍🏫

Come see how entomologists are reimagining education, outreach, and engagement from classrooms to communities at the #EntSoc25 Business Meeting!

Monday, Nov 10, 2:30–4:30 PM PT, OCC C124.
Come connect, collaborate, and shape the future of #EntoEd!
#FITatEntSoc25
October 23, 2025 at 3:19 PM
fitentsocamerica.bsky.social
Check out this amazing lineup of speakers! From apiculture to ornamentals to crops, they’ll share how collaboration drives innovation in pest management and stakeholder engagement. #FITatEntSoc25 #EntSoc25
Building partnerships to strengthen an extension program Dr. Sriyanka Lahiri 10:15 AM - 10:30 AM Collaborative research and extension to improve integrated pest management in California tree nuts Applied science in action: Partnership with stakeholders to manage pests in ornamentals University of Florida Dr. Houston Wilson 10:00 AM - 10:15 AM University of California Dr. Alejandro Del-Pozo 10:30 AM - 10:45 AM Assistant Professor of Entomology Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Research and extension opportunities as a University of California Cooperative Extension Entomology advisor Similarities, differences, and collaborations between extension and government positions Dr. Arun Babu 11:15 AM - 11:30 AM Postdoctoral Associate University of California Dr. Dalton Ludwick 11:30 AM - 11:45 AM USDA-ARS Empowering growers through science: Integrated pest management for Texas nursery and greenhouse systems Dr. Rafia Khan 10:15 AM - 10:30 AM From colony to community: Tips for strengthen stakeholder engagement from an apiculture extension perspective Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist Texas A&M University Amy Vu 10:45 AM - 11:00 AM State Specialized Extension Agent - Apiary University of Florida This presentation highlights a collaborative research–extension program advancing science-based, stakeholder-driven pest management solutions for Texas ornamental industries.
October 22, 2025 at 2:33 PM
fitentsocamerica.bsky.social
Aerial advantage: Using drones to bridge insect research and extension Dr. Terri Billeisen 8:53 AM - 9:08 AM Director of Undergraduate Programs North Carolina State University Understanding stakeholder perspectives through surveys to enhance engagement with conservation and pest management programs Dr. Julie Peterson, et al. 9:30 AM - 9:45 AM University of Nebraska-Lincoln From local roots to regional reach: Expanding extension through multi-state partnerships Dr. Hannah Talton 9:45 AM - 10:00 AM North Carolina A&T State University
October 22, 2025 at 2:12 PM
fitentsocamerica.bsky.social
Gearing up for #EntSoc2025!

Kicking it off w/ a symposium alert! 🎉

"Foundations & Frontiers in Extension Science: Strengthening Partnerships for the Future" joins voices reimagining engagement, funding, & more in conservation + pest management.

Follow as we share speaker and presentation info!
Marine biology outreach beginnings to a career in extension entomology Dr. Joanie King 8:23 AM - 8:38 AM Establishing and advancing IPM in cooperative extension Bee-lieving in community science: Developing an AI tutoring system to train volunteers on bee morphospecies Assistant Professor & Entomology Extension Specialist New Mexico State University Dr. Norman Leppla, BCE 8:03 AM - 8:23 AM University of Florida Lisa Mason 8:38 AM - 8:53 AM Colorado State University
October 22, 2025 at 2:12 PM
fitentsocamerica.bsky.social
🌟 Project Highlight 🌟

The Bug Club at Oregon State University has launched 12 undergrad research projects, from pollinator communities to insect farming and teaching tools! 🪲

All 12 students will share their work at ESA this November -- and we welcome them to FIT!

#EntSoc #ESA #FIT #Entomology
Graphic titled “Project Highlight” featuring Bug Club at Oregon State University. The left side shows the Bug Club logo: a black and orange monarch butterfly with the words “Bug Club” written across the bottom border of its wings, set against an orange circle. A large quote bubble on the right reads: “Student organizations can be a powerful new model to sponsor and support undergraduate student research.” Text describes the project: Bug Club has supported 12 undergraduate research projects on pollinator communities, prairie restoration, butterfly conservation, insect farming, IPM, and entomological teaching tools. All 12 students will present their work at the ESA annual meeting this November and are new ESA FIT members. At the bottom right is a headshot of Alexander Butcher, identified as PhD Candidate, Bug Club President, ESA Science Policy Fellow Class of 2025, and FIT Student Subcommittee co-chair (Oregon State University). The FIT logo appears in the bottom left with the text “Follow us for more! Formal and Informal Teaching, Entomological Society of America.”
September 26, 2025 at 4:24 PM
fitentsocamerica.bsky.social
🌟 #FIT Member Highlight!

This month we’re excited to spotlight Molly Keck, our Marketing & Outreach Chair! She serves as Senior Program Specialist - IPM at Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.

Read this thread to hear from Molly! 🪲 (1/5)

#FIT #Entomology #Education @entsocamerica.bsky.social
Alt text: Graphic titled “Member Highlight” featuring Molly Keck, M.S., Senior Program Specialist – Integrated Pest Management at Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. A professional headshot of Molly Keck is shown on the left with a yellow circular background. A large quote bubble reads: “Insects are important, even when we teach about pest management!” Text below describes her work: Molly provides educational programs such as beekeeping, butterfly gardening, beneficial insects, and IPM of landscape or vegetable pests for diverse audiences including garden clubs, school groups, pest management professionals, and school nurses. Her goal is to encourage people to see insects as important parts of the ecosystem and nature. FIT logo in the bottom right corner with text: “Follow us for more! Formal and Informal Teaching, Entomological Society of America.”
August 29, 2025 at 7:47 PM
fitentsocamerica.bsky.social
Thinking of presenting at #EntSoc2025? 🪲🧪
You can submit one talk AND one poster!

Not sure what to share for #EntSocFIT? Here are just a few ideas. If you’ve shared entomology with others, we want to hear it!

More topic ideas? Share them with us!

Submit: www.abstractscorecard.com/cfp/submit/l...
Graphic asking: “Should I Submit an FIT Abstract? (likely YES!)” with a note at the top: “Deadline May 30th!” and the subtitle: “Brainstorming some ideas?” Five labeled columns offer suggestions for FIT abstract topics: Teaching & Curriculum: Creative labs or lesson plans; new ways to teach insect ID or ecology. Icon: lightbulb with insect inside. Outreach & Community Engagement: Insect fairs, school or museum visits, community science projects. Icon: hands releasing insect. Innovative Pedagogy: Inclusive teaching strategies; K–12 education in and out of the classroom. Icon: teacher and students with insect on a board. SciComm & Tools: Infographics, zines, comics; interactive learning tools and board games; videos, podcasts, or blogs. Icon: board game with insect Mentorship & Training: Student research support, peer mentorship programs. Icon: person guiding another with insect and arrows. Bottom right corner includes the logo for the ESA Formal and Informal Teaching Section and the text “Follow us for more!”
May 9, 2025 at 8:56 PM
fitentsocamerica.bsky.social
🚨 Job Alert! 🚨

UF Entomology & Nematology is hiring an Assistant Prof of Informal #Entomology #Education!

🔎 Interested in a faculty position leading innovative, evidence-based engagement outside the classroom?

🪲 Passionate about #insects & #outreach?

🧪 Learn more and apply! bit.ly/uflentojob
Graphic announcing a job opportunity for an Assistant Professor of Informal Entomology Education at the University of Florida Entomology & Nematology Department. The header reads “JOB OPPORTUNITY” with an icon of a megaphone. Below, a central illustration shows two hands shaking, forming an insect-like shape with antennae. Text highlights that the department seeks a passionate educator to lead and assess informal and non-formal educational programming. The position directs UF’s Outreach Program, including a bug zoo and hands-on training. A QR code and link (https://bit.ly/uflentojob) are provided for more information. At the bottom right is the logo for the Formal and Informal Teaching (FIT) section of the Entomological Society of America with a note: “Follow us for more!” Ant icons crawl across the top border.
April 4, 2025 at 10:33 PM
fitentsocamerica.bsky.social
The Formal and Informal Teaching (FIT) pilot section of the @entsocamerica.bsky.social has arrived! 🪲📚

Connect w us to stay in the loop as we share job opps, edu resources, and more!

Let’s build a community around how we teach & learn #entomology, formally and informally! 🧪 #EntoEd
Logo for the Formal and Informal Teaching (FIT) section of ESA. A pencil shaped like a bug with colorful wings sits next to the text: “Formal and Informal Teaching – Entomological Society of America."
April 4, 2025 at 9:37 PM