64 | LEHIGH ALUMNI BULLETIN CURIOUS CREATURES As part of an entomology course taught by Dylan Shropshire, assistant professor of biological sciences, 15 students had the opportunity to explore the morphology, development, behavior and ecology of insects while gaining hands-on experience collecting them. In addition to learning how to ethically source specimens, students explored how to identify and pin insects to mount them in a traditional exhibit case. Collecting grew into a community effort with over 70 people helping find insects. Some students took on the challenge of raising insects, allowing them to observe firsthand the often short lifecycles of these complex creatures. During the course’s end-of-semester showcase, hundreds of insects and artifacts took center stage in Innovation Hall. Normally hidden from view, these insects were carefully arranged and labeled in frames, allowing dozens of attendees to appreciate the beauty and diversity of the natural world in all their creepy-crawly glory. “Enhancing scientific literacy isn’t just about reaching the students in our classes,” Shropshire said. “It's about equipping them to inspire curiosity and appreciation for the natural world in everyone they encounter.”—Hayley Frerichs Endnote CHRISTINE KRESCHOLLEK
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTA0OTQ5OA==