With increasing interest from youth participating in the Mosquitoes & Me Summer Camp, and support from the schools and local communities, the Urban Ecosystem Project created the Mosquitoes & Me After School program and Mosquitoes & Me Club in 2016 and 2018, respectively.
Mosquitoes & Me After School Program
The Mosquitoes & Me After School Program was first offered in 2016. The Urban Ecosystem Project created a unique after school program that offers new and returning youth the Mosquitoes & Me Summer Camp experience during 1-2 after school meetings per week, for 6-8 week sessions. This after school program continues throughout the school year and brings together 3rd-5th grade youth to ask big questions in mosquito science and explore the answers with program educators.
ISU undergraduate students and community educators that have taken the Teaching and Learning with Insects course (C I 441x) and/or experience from the Mosquitoes & Me Summer Camp work with the Urban Ecosystem Project staff to provide 45-90 minute lessons. Since its establishment, educators have implemented over 125 meetings of the Mosquitoes & Me After School Program and served over 140 youth.
Mosquitoes & Me Club
The Mosquitoes & Me Club was created in 2018, after Mosquitoes & Me Summer Camp youth participants expressed a strong interest in continuing their association with the program. Club activities are scheduled on Saturdays throughout the school year. Youth and educators meet at a local library or community center. It’s a great time to catch up with camp friends and take a deeper dive into interesting mosquito science.
