ENTOMOLOGY

Maryland 4-H Entomology Program

Program Focus:
        To learn some of the common orders of insects
        Learn to buy or build collection and preserving equipment
        Learn how insects protect themselves
        Learn about the value of insects to man
        Learn to study the life cycles of insects

What members can do: (Beginner level)
        Make a specimen killing jar
        Pin and label insects correctly
        Keep records on your project
        Make an exhibit of 25 insect specimens
 
What members can do: (Intermediate level)
        Make or buy additional collecting and killing materials
        Learn the inside structure of insects
        Place groups of insects in their proper orders
        Expand your collection to 75 insects

What members can do: (Advanced level)
        Identify destructive insects
        Build insect rearing cages
        Explore decorative use of insects
        Expand your collection to 130 insects

"Entomology 1 - Creepy Crawlies" 4-H Cooperative Curriculum System Publication BU-6853

"Entomology 2 - What's Bugging You" 4-H Cooperative Curriculum System Publication BU-6854

"Entomology 3 - Dragons, Houses and Other Flies" 4-H Cooperative Curriculum System Publication BU-6855

"Entomology Helper's Guide" 4-H Cooperative Curriculum System Publication BU-6856

Ever thought about keeping bees? 
You would be practicing apiculture if you did!
 
Did You Know?

• Honey is the chief product of beekeeping. Honey is "manufactured" in one of the world's most efficient factories, the beehive. Bees may travel as far as 55,000 miles and visit more than two million flowers to gather enough nectar to make just a pound of honey.

• The color and flavor of honey differ depending on the bees' nectar source (the blossoms). In fact, there are more than 300 unique kinds of honey in the United States, originating from such diverse floral sources as clover, eucalyptus and orange blossom. In general, lighter colored honeys are mild in flavor; while darker honeys are usually more robust in flavor.

• Honey is primarily composed of fructose, glucose and water. It also contains other sugars as well trace enzymes, minerals, vitamins and amino acids.

Maryland 4-H Beekeeping Program

TARGET AUDIENCE: Youth ages 10 - 19

This program is designed to help youth learn about bees and how to become a Beekeeper. The project is divided into three divisions. The first division gives information on the basic facts of Beekeeping, the second teaches basic bee hive care, and the third division is self-directed. Youth may complete this program independently or with the help of a knowledgeable adult or older teen.

The Maryland 4-H Beekeeping Curriculum

The Maryland 4-H Beekeeping Project features a single, fully integrated, age appropriate curriculum package that covers beekeeping in a comprehensive manner. The recommended curriculum package is from Purdue University.

Unit 1 -- "Understanding the honey bee" 

Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service Publication 4-H 571

Unit 2 – "Working with Honeybees"

Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service Publication 4-H 586

Unit 3 – "Advanced Beekeeping Methods"

Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service Publication 4-H 593

To obtain Purdue University publications, call TOLL FREE 1 (888) 398-4636

 A "honey" of an opportunity!

 
"Bee" active in beekeeping through the Maryland State Beekeeping Association’s Annual 4-H Beekeeping Essay Contest

 
Sponsored by The Maryland State Beekeeping Association and The American Beekeeping Federation, Inc.

 
AWARDS

Cash Prices to 3 Top Winners in Maryland !!!
 
1st Place - $100.00

2nd Place - $75.00

3rd Place - $50.00

 
Entries are due to the Maryland 4-H Center on or before February 2, 1999.

TOPIC

The assignment for the 1999 essay will be to create a Lesson Plan and Activity Sheet to teach 3rd Grade elementary school students about bees and beekeeping.

The Lesson Plan should cover the roles of the three castes of honey bees in the colony and one other aspect of bees and beekeeping, such as, but not limited to, pollination, honey production, uses of honey, or apitherapy. The Activity Sheet could be in the form of a crossword puzzle, a word-search puzzle, a drawing on which students label a bee's body parts, a connect the dots puzzle, etc. The Activity Sheet must be the entrant's original work, and it must be suitable for photocopying, since the ABF hopes to be able to share these with teachers on request.

SOURCES

Good leads for your research include your school and public libraries, local beekeepers, your county Extension agent, your local or state beekeepers association, the beekeeping professor at your state's agricultural college. The ABF website has links to other beekeeping sites. The 1998 winning essays are also on abfnet.

The scope of the research is an essential judging criterion, accounting for 40% of your score. The number of sources consulted, the authority of the sources, and the variety of the sources are all evaluated. Personal interviews with beekeepers and others familiar with bees and beekeeping activities are valued sources of information and should be documented. Sources which are not cited in the endnotes should be listed in a Resources or "Bibliography" list.

Note that "honey bee" is properly spelled as two words, even though many otherwise authoritative references spell it as one word.

RULES

1.Contest is open to active 4-H Club members only. 4-H'ers who have previously placed first, second, or third at the national level are not eligible; other state winners are eligible to re-enter.

2.Requirements (failure to meet any one disqualifies) - Preparation for National Judging: Typewritten, double-spaced, on one side of the paper following standard manuscript format.

Length: 750 to 1000 words long, plus the Activity Sheet. Write on the designated subject only. All factual statements must be referenced with bibliographical-style endnotes. A brief biographical sketch of the essayist, including date of birth, gender, complete mailing address, and telephone number, must accompany the essay. The word count does not include the Activity Sheet, the endnotes, the bibliography or references, nor the essayist's biographical sketch.

3.Essays will be judged on (a) scope of research - 40%; (b) accuracy - 30%; (c) creativity -10%; (d) conciseness - 10%; and (e) logical development of the topic - 10%.

4.Essayists should not forward essays directly to the American Beekeeping Federation office. Each state 4-H Office is responsible for selecting the state's winner and should set its deadline so state judging can be completed at the state level in time for the winning state essay to be mailed to the ABF office before March 1, 1999. No essay received after March 1 will be considered.

For more information contact Dr. Cam Carte at the Maryland 4-H Center (301) 403-4248.