Collect, trap, identify, and preserve real insects using hands-on field techniques designed for aspiring entomologists in grades 6–8.
Go beyond the textbook by practicing four professional collection methods, setting pitfall and bait traps to catch ground-dwelling and nocturnal insects, and studying insect morphology to discover how structure supports survival.
Then build your own dichotomous key to classify specimens by order before pinning, mounting, and labeling a display-ready insect collection.
Through 16+ hours of real field and lab work aligned to NGSS for grades 6–8, students develop observation, classification, and scientific investigation skills used by real entomologists.
What Is the Insect Discovery Kit?
Insect Discovery Kit is a complete entomology kit for middle school students that takes learning beyond the classroom.
Using professional-grade tools like a sweep net, forceps, pitfall jars, a spreading board, and a display case, students conduct real field investigations across seven structured activities. From exploring microhabitats to building a preserved insect collection, each activity mirrors techniques used by working entomologists.
What Will Students Do?
Students begin by learning what insects are, how to observe them, and how to record scientific field notes.
Next, they practice four insect collection methods:
- Sweep netting
- The beating sheet method
- Hand-collecting with forceps
- Searching beneath logs and rocks
As they compare the diversity and number of insects collected by each method, students begin to think like real field scientists.
Then, students build bait traps using a sugar-water solution to attract nocturnal insects and install a five-trap pitfall array to sample ground-dwelling species over multiple days.
After gathering specimens, students study insect morphology by examining compound eyes, antenna types, mouthparts, and leg adaptations to understand how insect structures support survival.
Students then construct their own dichotomous key to classify insects by order before moving into specimen preservation techniques.
The kit concludes with pinning, wing spreading, mounting, labeling, and display preparation, resulting in a finished insect collection that students can proudly preserve and showcase.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to live near a forest or park? No. The activities are designed to work in any outdoor space, such as a backyard, a school garden, or a neighborhood park. Different environments will yield different insects, which is part of the scientific inquiry.
Is ethyl acetate safe to use? Ethyl acetate is included as a preservative for the pitfall traps and killing jar. It is a common laboratory chemical and is used safely by following the kit's instructions, which include wearing gloves and keeping the chemical away from heat sources. Adult supervision is required for all activities involving chemicals.
How long does each activity take? Individual activities range from 30 minutes to 3.5 hours. The pitfall trapping activity spans three days of daily check-ins. Total kit time is 16+ hours across all seven activities.
Can the preserved collection be displayed long-term? Yes. When stored in a cool, dry location away from direct sunlight and checked periodically for pests, pinned insect collections can last for many years.
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