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Entomology 2003, also known as "Insects and Society," is a class that introduces students to the fascinating world of bugs.

It may not sound interesting to some people, but the class attracts a wide variety of students from different majors and backgrounds.

It is one of the most popular science classes the university offers, probably because of the shock factor, said Ken Pinkston, OSU entomology professor and instructor of the class.

Throughout the semester, students are involved in many hands-on assignments, including a "pet" project.

Each student is given a Madagascar hissing cockroach to adopt for three weeks. The students are responsible for keeping the cockroach alive and monitoring its reactions to different environments and conditions.

"At first, I was scared to touch my cockroach, but now I'm comfortable touching and feeding it," said Jo Lynn Enlow, agricultural communications sophomore.

"However, my roommate is still not sold on the idea of a pet cockroach."

The students also participate in a "Build-a-Bug" project in which they work with a group to design a new species of insect using supplies like Styrofoam balls and foil paper. This exercise encourages students to work in groups to better understand the different body parts of an insect.

"Build-a-Bug project was really great because we got to meet new people from different colleges," said Jamie Liston, agricultural education sophomore. "This class is so diverse. It's a really neat change from ordinary classwork."

The class is also a big hit with students because of the professor. Pinkston uses unusual teaching schemes like the pet cockroach and the "Build-a-Bug" project to encourage students to attend class.

"You must entertain students to hook them," said Pinkston. "I like trying off-the-wall stuff. I want the students to wonder, 'What will he do today?'"

Another highlight of the class is the "Bug Bowl." Students form teams and compete in a quiz bowl of entomology topics to win bonus points for class. This activity prepares students for exams and enables them to learn and memorize information in a fun way.

The class provides three hours of natural science credit without requiring a lab. Most university science classes require students to participate in the learning process during time spent in a lab. The absence of a lab may attract some students to the course, Pinkston said.

The students receive knowledgeable experience in dealing with bugs from caring for the cockroach to oral presentations in class.

Regardless of the student's major, each student enrolled in ENTO 2003 leaves the class with a better understanding of the wacky world of bugs.

By Misty Ambrose

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