OSU Insect Adventure teaches importance of bugs

Tuesday, July 25, 2023

Media Contact: Harrison Hill | Senior Research Communications Specialist | 405-744-5827 | harrison.c.hill@okstate.edu

Stick bugs can only walk forward, most scorpions are harmless and only a few species of roly-polys actually roll up.

Those are just a few things one can learn from Oklahoma State University’s Insect Adventure program, which is on a mission to educate and help people appreciate bugs. 

They don’t work in classrooms and lecture halls, though.  

Recently, Dr. Andrine Shufran, associate Extension specialist in the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, and her cooler full of critters visited the Bethany Children’s Health Center in Bethany, Oklahoma.

“Bringing in real life experiences to our hospital such as the Insect Adventure are incredible ways for our students to get to participate in hand- on activities that they otherwise wouldn’t be able to residing in a hospital setting,” said Catherine Kwitowski, special education teacher at Bethany Children’s Health Center. 

Shufran said most people are afraid of insects when a lot of times, they pose no threat to people. 

“Bugs are the largest group of animals and perform so many vital ecological roles that humans can't exist without them,” Shufran said.

Kwitowski said it is a joy when students at the hospital can participate in an interactive learning environment. 

“As a hospital, we strive to bring in as many fun opportunities for our students as possible to enhance their day-to-day activities. We love having individuals from our community come and hang out with our students so that they can interact and learn new things from them,” Kwitowski said. 

With an arsenal of jokes and fun facts, Shufran took the bugs around the room, some in boxes, some climbing up the back of her shirt, so that the kids could look closely and touch and feel.  

“Any time anyone laughs at one of my jokes I think it's pretty special, but those big grins on the kids’ faces are always the best,” Shufran said.

It would be hard to find someone as passionate about bugs as Shufran but that is what allows her to help break down barriers and help people learn more about what bugs really are.

“My favorite critter is the vinegaroon, it looks so fierce but is really very harmless, amazing, and beautiful,” Shufrane said. “It exemplifies the experience I feel like most people have with an Insect Adventure: bugs are truly the opposite of what most folks think they are.” 

One thing is for sure, the Bethany Children’s Health Center will remember the Insect Adventure visit for a long time.  

“Having the Insect Adventure come out to our hospital was such a fun experience and one that our students will never forget,” Kwitowski said.