BUGWORLD - School Video Series

BUGWORLD is a series of 13, 25 minute videos which, when used in the classroom and with the accompanying curriculum materials, provides a well-rounded biological study of insects and their relatives. This exciting educational tool covers basic “BUG stuff” and many globally important issues for anyone interested in science and the way life works. The series is designed so the films are effective individually, over the course of a bug unit, or in successive years (3rd-6th grades, for example). 

Students should watch these films with pencil and paper ready. There are opportunities to take notes and lots of exciting new words and cool stuff to remember. The follow-up activities review important vocabulary and concepts. Each episode is structured around a theme. Live Arthropods (and occasionally other animals, too) appear throughout to help illustrate and enliven the lessons. 

Connections across disciplines are common. A list of topics covered in each video is printed on the cover for easy reference. For example, water striders (one of the “true bugs”) live on the surface of ponds due to the physical properties of water. The marvel of surface tension is explored in this context. “Physics of water” is in the topics list for this video. Following the counter key on the jacket, you can advance directly to a topic and add a memorable lesson to many subject of your overall curriculum. 
 

List of Video Themes:

I. Getting Organized 
Scientists group things. It makes all the things in the world easier to think about. In “Getting Organized,” we consider the way things in the scientific world are organized. We discover the biggest difference between plants and animals. We look at how some words get put together from two different words. We might even learn some Latin! But don’t worry, it’s 3rd grade Latin! 

Topics covered: 
  Ecology of plants and animals       Language skills - word roots and connections   Classification and observation       Science Theory - why aren’t cats dogs?
  Comparative observations            Botany - Why are plants so cool?
 

II. Basic Arthropod Stuff
In “Basic Arthropod Stuff” we look at many different groups of Arthropods and consider some of their differences and similarities. This is an exploratory survey in quest of the way to always know an insect when you see it. We answer the question: “What really is a ‘true bug’?” We look at lobsters, crayfish, crabs, insects, spiders and other related Arthropods. They are all in the same group, yet they also need their own groups. 

Topics covered: 
  Classification and observation          Comparative observations
  Language skills               Physiology - why water is so important on land
  Adaptation                     Ecology - Arthropods’ potential roles in an ecosystem 
 

III. Built For The Job 
In “Built For The Job” (our pilot episode) we focus on the way certain insects (and other Arthropods) are built, and think about what their ecological job might be. We will consider predator/prey interactions, the importance of the recycling scavengers (and the value of cockroach poop!), how we benefit from being herbivores, why some insects completely change their food choices part way through their lives, and lots of other neat ecology things

Topics covered: 
  Ecology - predator/prey, scavenger energy recycling
  Ecology - Arthropods’ potential roles in an ecosystem
  Engineering - the relationship between form and function
 

IV. Why Are BUGS So Pretty? (They really are, you know) 
In “Why Are BUGS So Pretty we focus on the incredible variety of color patterns in the BUGWORLD. Why are butterfly wings so beautiful? Are walking sticks really the coolest-looking insects? We investigate the difference between “camouflage” and “crypsis.” We also learn about mimicry and warning colors (why you wouldn’t want to eat a Ladybug!)
 

V. Bug Sense 1 
In “Bug Sense 1” we learn about compound eyes, incredible antennas, ears on knees and tasting feet. Insects do it all! They can be in the same room as us and be in a totally different world - a world with huge pieces of smell in the air and ultraviolet light signs everywhere, where minor changes in air pressure are enough to send an alert! We might be able to sense more like a bug than we think!

Topics covered: 
  Physiology - study of the body 
  Comparative anatomy - how are we like bugs?
  Engineering - why does a fly swatter work?
 

VI. Bug Sense 2 
We could never have finished this in just one! Each “Bug Sense” episode stands alone. The information in the two episodes does not overlap any more than the others. 
 

VII. Bugs ‘N’ Us 1 - “Bad” Bugs
Insects, and Arthropods in general, have a huge impact on our lives. So, of course do trees and birds and fish and things… they are all neighbors of ours - like it or not. People often think in terms of “good” bugs and “bad” bugs. Bugs don’t really have the time to bother with being good or bad to us. They just don’t care. Unless we get in their way. And sometimes they get in our way! They are our neighbors and sometimes the boundaries get crossed. This is where respectful interactions become very important. “Bugs ‘N’ Us 1” considers the realities of the dangers bugs pose to us and we pose to them. Are we at war? 

Topics covered:
  Sociology and cultural differences           History 
  Agricultural sciences                               Bio-ethics and respect
 
 

VIII. Bugs ‘N’ Us 2 - “Good” Bugs 
In our second look at how we impact on bugs and they on us we visit some “good” bugs. Interestingly, most of these good bugs only help us by eating “bad” bugs! But many have provided positive value to humans for centuries. Chinese people have long thought the song of crickets to be soothing and healing. You can even buy cages to keep crickets in like birds! Many cities have begun exhibiting bugs for their beauty and wonder. In “Bugs ‘n’ Us 2” we visit a butterfly garden and see what the big deal is. We also consider “integrated pest management” programs which use bugs in addition to other methods to control pest species.

Topics covered: 
  Ecology                    Cultural History
  Psychology               Arthropod exhibits - in zoos and butterfly worlds
 

IX. Strategies Of Bug Life 1- It’s A Bug-Eat-Bug World Out There
You can consider any single problem insets and Arthropods have had to solve and find thousands of variations on a solution. Think of anything – how to eat. There are so many different types of insect mouths, they can eat anything! “Strategies 1” looks at some suckers, biters, chewers, gnawers, spongers, shlurpers, lickers, slicers, scrapers, and snatchers. 

Topics covered: 
  Engineering - form and function           Ecology
  Anatomy
 

X. Strategies Of Bug Life 2. - Weather We Live Or Die 
Wherever insects live, they have to deal with the weather. Temperate zone species have the obvious problem of winter. In sub-tropical regions, there is usually a rainy season and a dry season and this creates a challenge in Arthropods’ live cycles. In “Strategies 2” we consider migration, hibernation, reproduction strategies, and cool bug physiology. 

Topics covered: 
  Geography and Climate          Physiology
  Anatomy                                Engineering - How can butterflies fly 2000 miles?
 

XI. Strategies Of Bug Life 3 - How To Get From Here To There
How do we move around? We walk using muscles. How do insects get around? They use muscles to, but they use them to fly, walk, scurry, hop and jump. In “Strategies 3,” we consider some insect records - farthest jumper, fastest flyer, most legs and more! We also investigate the similarities and differences between insect motion and human motion. Since our muscles attach to our bones, how can insects’ muscles attach when they have no bones? 

Topics covered: 
  Comparative anatomy                  Physiology
  Engineering - How can ants lift 10 times their own weight?
 

XII. BUG Guts!
Someone once asked: “You know when you step on a cockroach, what’s all that white stuff that squirts out? Is that some kind of radio-active goo that makes them work?” That question was asked by an adult! While most people know a bit about their own bodies, the things that go on inside a bug are a big mystery to many of us. “BUG-Guts!” explores bugs from the inside out. Where does a bug’s food go when it eats? How does a bug breathe? Do they have red blood? We answer these questions and more in this comparative investigation into the inner workings of Arthropods. 

Topics covered:
  Chemistry - blood gasses and hormones            Physiology
  Comparative anatomy
 

XIII. Careers In BUGWORLD
So you love bugs. Great! Now what? What can a person who loves bugs do to pay rent? Be a BUG-Person! Well, that is a great career, but there are many, many possibilities. Many people who love bugs are fascinated daily by researching the incredible lives of these animals. Some help farmers control their crop pests. Some bug-loving people work at zoos, butterfly gardens or science museums and teach other people about bug wonders. Someone who loves bugs is filming this video. In this final episode of BUG-World, “Careers In BUGWORLD,” we meet some of the folks who are making a living in the real bug world. They tell you what you need to know to succeed doing what you really like. And even if you don’t love bugs, you will hear lots of good advice for your career choice, too.

Topics covered: 
  Career guidance 
 

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