Pests: Mosquito Science

 

For Sci Fri, we wrapped up our Entomology work with disease-carrying pests (biological vectors): mosquitoes and ticks! Though not pollinators, very abundant insects this time of the year. From Biology for Kids, we conducted an experiment to demonstrate the work of Carlos Finley and his study of yellow fever transmission.

Taking several jars of beet juice and two syringes (or vectors), we contaminated one jar with coffee grounds, representing disease. Then we challenged the littles to 'suck' the disease-filled blood and attempt not to transmit it to the 'clean' beet juice jars.

We also stuck a little lesson in art, by having the littles sketch mosquitos and then drip 'beet blood' on their work.