Young Entomologists' Society

Lansing, Michigan

FACT: There are more species of insects on this planet than all other animals combined.  We think you should take time to learn something about them...

The Young Entomologists' Society: A nonprofit, entomology youth education organization.

Mission statement To provide young people with a combination of programs, publications, and educational materials that enrich their insect and spider studies through dynamic, innovative, and enjoyable learning experiences. While our first priority is to serve young people, we have found it vitally important to work with parents, youth group leaders, teachers, naturalists, and other educators so that they can be better equipped to provide support and information on arthropods to the young people they interact with.

The Young Entomologists' Society: Serving insect and spider enthusiasts since 1965.

• operates the Minibeast Zooseum and Education Center.
• service provided to more than 7,003 members.
• a world leader in entomology and arachnology youth education.
• best known for innovative and kid-friendly educational programs and services, and the staff's knowledge of insect and spider study resources.
• educational presentations and displays brought to over ,400 people (mainly since 1984).
• participates in cooperative programming with other organizations and institutions.
• maintains one of the world's largest collections of children's "bug" books and educational materials, including toys, and a traveling minibeast zoo.
• home to a world-class information and resource center and ten internet websites.
• provides information/consultations to reporters, writers, businesses, organizations, and individuals.
• publishes Minibeast World, Y.E.S. NewsBulletin, and a Special Publications series.
• turns young people into published authors and illustrators by featuring their works in Y.E.S. periodical publications.
• - funded through member dues, donations from individuals, organizations, and businesses, program fees, and proceeds from the sales of educational materials.
• recognized as a nonprofit, tax exempt organization by the State of Michigan, the United States Postal Service, and the Internal Revenue Service [(501 (c) (3)].

MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS

Each year we provide thousands of insect and spider enthusiasts with support, guidance and information so that they can better explore the amazing world of arthropods. As a Y.E.S. member you'll receive benefits that will enrich your studies of insects and/or spiders: Be "connected" to other members who share your interests. Turn to our volunteers or staff when you need advice or information. Reduced rates on our periodicals. No page charges for articles submitted by members. Free subscription to Y.E.S. NewsBulletin. Submit notices/ads for inclusion in Y.E.S. NewsBulletin. Special member-only sales offers. Discount on purchases from our Catalog of Minibeast Merchandise (restrictions apply) and on Minibeast Zooseum and Education Center annual pass.

SPECIAL PACKAGE DEALS

A Junior Bugologist Package is available for new youth members. This special offer includes a one-year Y.E.S. membership, a membership certificate, an embroidered Y.E.S. patch, 8 activity sheets, 5 temporary tattoos, stickers, a colorful "bug" pencil, a color-your-own poster, and a one-year Insect World subscription (plus all regular member benefits).

An Entomology Educator's Kit is also available for teachers and other educators. This special package includes a one-year Y.E.S. membership, an entomology educator certificate, "Insect Study Sourcebook and Supplement", "Project B.U.G.S.", "Educator's Guide to Minibeast Teaching Resources", set of 20 reproducible activity sheets, and a one-year INSECT WORLD subscription (plus all of the regular member benefits). The Entomology Educator's Kit provides essential resources to get you started teaching minibeast science right away - plus you'll receive continued support and ideas throughout the year!

PUBLICATIONS

Y.E.S. publishes two periodicals for minibeast enthusiasts: Insect World, a bimonthly magazine filled with fun and facts for kids (and adults who teach them) with an interest in minibeasts, and Y.E.S. Quarterly, a journal of amateur entomology that is intended for older youth (ages 13 and up) and adult amateur entomologists.

Y. E. S. also publishes a special series of handbooks including Project B.U.G.S., Organizing Bug Days and Insect Fairs, Caring for Insect Livestock, Insect Identification Guide, and Observing and Collecting Insects.  Click here for more information on this series of handbooks.

INFORMATIONAL HANDOUTS

As a service to educators and other interested parties, the Young Entomologists' Society has prepared a series of informational handouts including fact sheets, bibliographies, tips, etc. Most are available online at this site, but they can also be obtained by e-mail , by snail mail (send a large SASE with $1.01 US postage), or by stopping by the Minibeast Zooseum and Education Center.

EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS ON MINIBEASTS

One of the greatest needs that both youth and adults have is finding a source of educational materials to assist them with their studies of insects and spiders. The Young Entomologists' Society currently offers over 800 educational items (books, kits, games and puzzles, rubber replicas, puppets, audiovisuals, posters, gifts, wearable items, and much more) at very reasonable prices. Items are available by direct sales at conferences and special events, or by mailorder. (An online Catalog of Minibeast Merchandise is available.)

"BUGS-ON-WHEELS" EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH PROGRAMS

Insect, Spider, and Minibeast Programs. Your group can explore the amazing world of insects, spiders, scorpions, myriapods, crustaceans, and other arthropods right in your own school. Our programs feature live minibeasts, vivid pictures, bizarre and beautiful specimens from around the world, scientific artifacts, unique props, and exciting activities -- our programs are as entertaining as they are educational!

Mobile Museum and Tabletop Minibeast Zoo. If you run a Bug Day or Insect Fair we have a display of live insects, spiders, and other arthropods, insect and spider artifacts, and educational materials that will give your participants some really "buggy" sights to remember!

Workshops for Educators. Our inservice workshops and training programs were developed to provide teachers, daycare professionals, naturalists, youth group leaders with basic knowledge about insects, spiders, or other minibeasts and the critical role they play in the environment. Learn the facts from an entomologist through a lively presentation, demonstrations, visual materials, hands-on activities, live arthropods, and a resource fair. The workshops promote the use of minibeasts as science education tools and show how they can be integrated into many of the essential goals and objectives for science education, as well as other curriculum areas.

Program and Workshop Costs. The cost of programs and workshops varies according to your distance from our headquarters in Lansing, Michigan and the duration of the program. Contact us for a quote today, or for more information.

Board of Directors

• Laurie Van Wormer, Chair (Michigan Association for the Education of Young Children)
• Dianna K. Dunn, Vice-Chair (Young Entomologists' Society)
• Elizabeth Brockwell-Tillman (Michigan Department of Natural Resources)
• Kimberly A. Cashman (Rainbow Rehabilitation Centers)
• Bernadette C. Leone (Haslett Sxchool District)
• Steve Prchal (Sonoran Arthropod Studies Institute)
• Brian Winslow (Asbury Woods Nature Center)

Advisory Board

• Arthur Evans, PhD (Los Angeles Natural History Museum)
• David G. Furth, PhD (Smithsonian Institution)
• Paul C. Johnson, PhD (University of New Hampshire)
• Carol Kriegel (Houston Zoological Gardens)
• Michael Weissmann, PhD (Colorado Butterfly Consortium)

Staff

• Dianna K. Dunn, B.S., Executive Director
• Gary A. Dunn, M.S., F.R.E.S., Director of Education
• Deborah Thirkhill, Editor
• Mark F. O'Brien, and Richard Cowan,Webmasters

HOW TO CONTACT US FOR MORE INFORMATION

For information on availability and current prices of any Y.E.S. publication, product, program, or service, please contact Y.E.S. headquarters by e-mail , phone/fax (517-886-0630), or mail (6907 West Grand River Ave., Lansing MI 48906-9131).

This educational resource was prepared by the Young Entomologists Society, 6907 West Grand River Ave., Lansing MI 48906-9131, phone/fax 517-886-0630, e-mail YESbugs@aol.com.  Support minibeast youth education - join Y.E.S. today!