Date and Time: 17 April 2010 (11 am to 4 pm)
Place : Frick Environmental Center and Park, 2005 Beechwood Blvd, Pittsburgh.
Ages : All ages
This full-day program sponsored by Pittsburgh Parks was well participated despite poor weather. Temperatures of 40 F and even hail at one point failed to put a damper on the throngs of visitors who turned out for the Earth Day festivities. At the Fun with Bugs tent, three stations gave visitors the chance to 'pet a bug', 'eat a bug' and 'race a bug'. Clare Chianerize won a $25 gift card in the drawing held for participants who completed all three checkpoints. About 160 chocolate covered crickets were enjoyed by adventurous tasters, and between 20 to 30 folks participated in each of the three roach races that were held throughout the day. Some very astute mathematicians were also seen counting segments on Millie the Giant Millipede, and performing complicated multiplications for the 'Leg's Guess Contest'! The winners of the Leg's Guess Contest were Alexander de san Martin, Torey Verts and Parker McKenna. Congratulations winners! My thanks go out to volunteers Mike, Terry, Mallory and Kristen. Couldn't have done it without you!
Click here for photos!
Click here for my full blog report
Showing posts with label EVENT. Show all posts
Showing posts with label EVENT. Show all posts
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Venture Outdoors Family Fest hosts Fun with Bugs!
Date and Time: 25 July, 2009 (12 to 4 pm)
Place : Mellon Park, Pittsburgh.
Ages : All ages
Oh boy did it pour! There was a decent turnout despite the poor weather and we received about 200 visitors. About 85 choco chirpies were consumed, with many kids coming back for more. The Roach Races were the highlights of the Fest. There were 46 roach 'adoptions' for the 3 races held to crowds of 30 people each time. Enigma the 'underdog racer' won all three races, and 13 prices were awarded to those who picked Enigma. The Bug Petting Zoo was one station where visitors learnt about Giant Millipedes. I feel it is important they know that these bugs are beneficial, harmless, and ‘good bugs’. I wanted visitors to overcome misperceived fear of bugs, know that there are ‘good bugs’, and touch a bug. Winner of the 'Leg's Guess Contest' was Ahmed Mansour who took home a grand prize of 1 VO family pass, 2 t-shirts and a cap. Prizes were also mailed to winners of the Bug Art Competition. Thanks to all the volunteers!
Place : Mellon Park, Pittsburgh.
Ages : All ages
Oh boy did it pour! There was a decent turnout despite the poor weather and we received about 200 visitors. About 85 choco chirpies were consumed, with many kids coming back for more. The Roach Races were the highlights of the Fest. There were 46 roach 'adoptions' for the 3 races held to crowds of 30 people each time. Enigma the 'underdog racer' won all three races, and 13 prices were awarded to those who picked Enigma. The Bug Petting Zoo was one station where visitors learnt about Giant Millipedes. I feel it is important they know that these bugs are beneficial, harmless, and ‘good bugs’. I wanted visitors to overcome misperceived fear of bugs, know that there are ‘good bugs’, and touch a bug. Winner of the 'Leg's Guess Contest' was Ahmed Mansour who took home a grand prize of 1 VO family pass, 2 t-shirts and a cap. Prizes were also mailed to winners of the Bug Art Competition. Thanks to all the volunteers!
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Children's Museum of Pittsburgh hosts Fun With Bugs!
Date and Time: 11 July 2009 (12.30 - 3.30 pm)
Place : Children's Museum of Pittsburgh, 10 Children's Way, Pittsburgh
Ages : All ages
This half-day program sponsored by the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh was an absolutely fantastic time for children and their parents. Children loved petting Archie the giant millipede and Madagascar Hissing Roaches. The "Leg's Guess Contest" winner was Gabbi M. who received a free adult & child pass to CMP and an insect collecting kit. Choco chirpie vendor for the day, Angela Seals (CMP program director) sold 150 crickets! Mmmm. The two roach races were held to a full capacity crowd of 100 each time and the atmosphere was electrifying as participants cheered on their roach choices. Barbaro and Big Mama won the 1st and 2nd race respectively and 60 prizes were given out to the 'adoptive' winners. Thanks so much to veteran bug wrangler volunteer Tristan Laux, and Angela Seals for giving Fun with Bugs the opportunity to visit the CMP.
Place : Children's Museum of Pittsburgh, 10 Children's Way, Pittsburgh
Ages : All ages
This half-day program sponsored by the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh was an absolutely fantastic time for children and their parents. Children loved petting Archie the giant millipede and Madagascar Hissing Roaches. The "Leg's Guess Contest" winner was Gabbi M. who received a free adult & child pass to CMP and an insect collecting kit. Choco chirpie vendor for the day, Angela Seals (CMP program director) sold 150 crickets! Mmmm. The two roach races were held to a full capacity crowd of 100 each time and the atmosphere was electrifying as participants cheered on their roach choices. Barbaro and Big Mama won the 1st and 2nd race respectively and 60 prizes were given out to the 'adoptive' winners. Thanks so much to veteran bug wrangler volunteer Tristan Laux, and Angela Seals for giving Fun with Bugs the opportunity to visit the CMP.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Great Bug Hike Report
Date : June 13, 2009
Time : 1 - 3 pm
Place : Environmental Learning Center, Harrison Hills Park
Ages : Children to teens (but all invited)
Donation: $7 donation suggested (included pinning board, butterfly spreading board, butterfly paper envelope, 3 insect pins, and 'How to Make and Insect Collection' book)
This was a fun educational nature-oriented activity where kids gained hands-on know-how on making an insect collection. We had 13 very enthusiastic budding young naturalists join us today, ages 5 - 14. We started off with a simple pictorial slideshow 'All about Insects' that talked about the scientific importance of collecting and studying insects, where to find and how to collect and preserve insects.
Then everyone picked up a net, a collecting jar and went bug hunting! The warm, sunny day had the area around the ELC a-buzz and a-flutter with many common butterflies, (true) bugs, beetles, flies and bees. Each kid collected one or two insects and these were gently put to 'sleep' in the freezer back at the ELC. After some light refreshments, which included the ever-popular chocolate-covered crickets, everyone had the opportunity to pet Millie the Giant Millipede, and the Madagascar Hissing Roaches. (Bryce, who had previously chomped down milk-choco chirpies wanted a plain one this time, but we were all out. So he improvised by licking all the choc off his chirpie and said "here now I have a plain one" and ate that!). Finally, we learnt how to correctly pin and label our insects.
Insect collecting can be a fun and rewarding hobby for all ages, and also a valuable contribution to science!
Thank you to Rich, Spencer, parents who helped out; Ariana, Tristan and Laurel who helped with the bug gift shop, choc chirpie station and bug petting zoo; and all the participants in today's program!
Insect Quick Lesson:
Note: Complete student insect collecting kits are available for purchase that include an insect net, insect pins, pinning block, riker mount, glycine envelopes, collector's notebook, insect labels, forceps and more ($20).
Time : 1 - 3 pm
Place : Environmental Learning Center, Harrison Hills Park
Ages : Children to teens (but all invited)
Donation: $7 donation suggested (included pinning board, butterfly spreading board, butterfly paper envelope, 3 insect pins, and 'How to Make and Insect Collection' book)
This was a fun educational nature-oriented activity where kids gained hands-on know-how on making an insect collection. We had 13 very enthusiastic budding young naturalists join us today, ages 5 - 14. We started off with a simple pictorial slideshow 'All about Insects' that talked about the scientific importance of collecting and studying insects, where to find and how to collect and preserve insects.
Then everyone picked up a net, a collecting jar and went bug hunting! The warm, sunny day had the area around the ELC a-buzz and a-flutter with many common butterflies, (true) bugs, beetles, flies and bees. Each kid collected one or two insects and these were gently put to 'sleep' in the freezer back at the ELC. After some light refreshments, which included the ever-popular chocolate-covered crickets, everyone had the opportunity to pet Millie the Giant Millipede, and the Madagascar Hissing Roaches. (Bryce, who had previously chomped down milk-choco chirpies wanted a plain one this time, but we were all out. So he improvised by licking all the choc off his chirpie and said "here now I have a plain one" and ate that!). Finally, we learnt how to correctly pin and label our insects.
Insect collecting can be a fun and rewarding hobby for all ages, and also a valuable contribution to science!
Thank you to Rich, Spencer, parents who helped out; Ariana, Tristan and Laurel who helped with the bug gift shop, choc chirpie station and bug petting zoo; and all the participants in today's program!
Insect Quick Lesson:
- There are 200 million insects to every human on Earth.
- Collecting one or two of each type of insect will not hurt its populations.
- Insects do not feel pain but are living creatures that should be respected - killing an insect for your collection should be done quickly and humanely. (See my book "How to Make an Insect Collection" for details).
Note: Complete student insect collecting kits are available for purchase that include an insect net, insect pins, pinning block, riker mount, glycine envelopes, collector's notebook, insect labels, forceps and more ($20).
Saturday, May 16, 2009
HARRISON HILLS OUTDOOR FAIR BUG ACTIVITIES REPORT
Date: 16 May, 2009
Time: 10 am - 4 pm
Place: ELC, Harrison Hills Park
What a fabulously fun day of creepy crawly activities this was in the Insect Room at the ELC!
The Bug Petting Zoo featuring my Madagascar hissing cockroaches and Archie and Millie the Giant Millipedes, was a huge hit, especially with the children. Some were hesitant at first, but almost everyone ended up petting these harmless, slow-moving vegetarians. It felt great to see minds open up to the fact that not all bugs are nasty, and many bugs are beneficial. A big thank you to volunteer Bug Wranglers: Tristan, Justin, Cory and Ariana.
The beautiful pinned insect specimens attracted hordes of admirers. Butterflies and moths, beetles, bees and other unusual insects were displayed. Thank you CMNH for the loan.
'The Bug Doctor is IN' section received several requests to identify insect pests. I was very happy to help suggest safer ways to control these pests.
Over 80 brave Bug Eaters ranging from 'trainee' to 'pro' and 'guru' levels chowed down on the Choco Chirpies (chocolate covered crickets). Among the 'Gurus' was a little girl who gobbled four plain crickets (legs and all), and Mike who filled up on eight and even ordered a dozen to go! It was awesome seeing so many folks walking around the fair proudly wearing their 'I ATE A BUG' button-of-courage.
The highlight of the Insect Activities was the Roach Races. These were held at 10.30am, 12.30pm and 2.30pm. We had a fourth race at 3.30pm by popular demand! The atmosphere was electrifying: kids and grown ups cheering on the roaches they had adopted for the race. And the happy faces of winners as they stepped up to collect their prize. Big Mama, Barbaro and Lola each won one race, and Big Mama was the champion in the final showdown. Thank you to all Roach Racers for your donations that will go towards improving the Harrison Hills Park facilities!
To all who volunteered, especially Mom, Dad, Spencer, Ariana, Carver and Courtney, a huge Thank You.
See you all again next year for a bigger and better Outdoor Fair
Time: 10 am - 4 pm
Place: ELC, Harrison Hills Park
What a fabulously fun day of creepy crawly activities this was in the Insect Room at the ELC!
The Bug Petting Zoo featuring my Madagascar hissing cockroaches and Archie and Millie the Giant Millipedes, was a huge hit, especially with the children. Some were hesitant at first, but almost everyone ended up petting these harmless, slow-moving vegetarians. It felt great to see minds open up to the fact that not all bugs are nasty, and many bugs are beneficial. A big thank you to volunteer Bug Wranglers: Tristan, Justin, Cory and Ariana.
 |
| Volunteer bug wrangler Justin, and Archie the Giant Millipede team up to show girls that bugs are cool pets! |
The beautiful pinned insect specimens attracted hordes of admirers. Butterflies and moths, beetles, bees and other unusual insects were displayed. Thank you CMNH for the loan.
'The Bug Doctor is IN' section received several requests to identify insect pests. I was very happy to help suggest safer ways to control these pests.
Over 80 brave Bug Eaters ranging from 'trainee' to 'pro' and 'guru' levels chowed down on the Choco Chirpies (chocolate covered crickets). Among the 'Gurus' was a little girl who gobbled four plain crickets (legs and all), and Mike who filled up on eight and even ordered a dozen to go! It was awesome seeing so many folks walking around the fair proudly wearing their 'I ATE A BUG' button-of-courage.
 |
| 'CHEERS!' Three adventurous ladies toast Choco Chirpies before munching on the tasty treats |
The highlight of the Insect Activities was the Roach Races. These were held at 10.30am, 12.30pm and 2.30pm. We had a fourth race at 3.30pm by popular demand! The atmosphere was electrifying: kids and grown ups cheering on the roaches they had adopted for the race. And the happy faces of winners as they stepped up to collect their prize. Big Mama, Barbaro and Lola each won one race, and Big Mama was the champion in the final showdown. Thank you to all Roach Racers for your donations that will go towards improving the Harrison Hills Park facilities!
 |
| Volunteer Ariana posing with the Roach Race Track |
To all who volunteered, especially Mom, Dad, Spencer, Ariana, Carver and Courtney, a huge Thank You.
See you all again next year for a bigger and better Outdoor Fair
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