Debugging Misconceptions About Arthropods

Mark Twain once said, “‘It’s not what we don’t know that gets us in trouble. It’s what we know for sure that just ain’t so.” To an entomologist who works with the public or non-entomology-major students, the greatest challenges to teaching about insects and related arthropods are often tied to correcting misinformation and addressing misconceptions. When constructing lesson materials, instructors provide targeted content, often as a brief overview of what they consider critical information. However, we tend to make assumptions about what parents, children, and students already know, and we may skip the parts that seem “too basic,” leading to failures to address the most serious misunderstandings. Many colleges and universities, including Oklahoma State University (OSU), offer general-studies science classes about insects. These courses help students learn the value of insects and related arthropods and their importance in environmental and...