Insect zoo design nets top academic web site award

A virtual tour of a national insect zoo, learning activities for K-12 students, and resources for teachers make up the award-winning recipe for a Mississippi State web site.

Designed in 1996 by MSU's Center for Educational and Training Technology, the O. Orkin Insect Zoo curriculum module recently took first place among academic entries in the state's EdTech '98 web site competition. The module's web address is <http://www.naturalpartners.org/InsectZoo/>.

Sponsored for the second year by the Mississippi Educational Network, the competition drew more than 60 entries.

"Our site has been designed to help bring the resources of the Smithsonian to teachers and students," said MSU center director R. Dan Brook. "It provides resources to support the teaching of natural sciences, especially to middle school students."

The judges agreed, with one calling the design "a model for our school districts to follow."

The actual Orkin Insect Zoo is a part of the National Museum of Natural History at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.

Funded by the BellSouth Foundation, the Natural Partners Program is a collaborative effort between Mississippi State and the natural history museum.

Curriculum designer Cheryl M. Whitfield and instructional technologist Connie Templeton worked with Mississippi State entomologists and local teachers to design activities such as a cricket-jumping contest. Students also learn about the insect and its habitat and explore related activities such as creative writing and reading.

For more information, call the Center for Educational and Training Technology at 662-325-5009.