EDUCATION

CCVCD supports a comprehensive education program for all ages. It is a collaborative effort between District staff, outside professionals, state and local agencies, and school educators. Serious vector-borne diseases such as West Nile virus have been spreading into Oregon, and our students and families need to understand why this is happening and how to protect themselves.

Education is an integral part of the Integrated Vector Management Program utilized by CCVCD. We believe that local mosquito control starts with the citizens of Clackamas County in their yards and neighborhoods. Armed with knowledge of mosquito and other vector biology, informed citizens know what actions they can take to suppress the populations of disease vectors.

CCVCD staff are pleased to be able to support educators and students with hands-on resources including mosquito larvae in safe emergence cages, macro lens magnifiers, pipettes, and more, as well as visits by biologists and other experts. Interactive multimedia presentations can be shared with students, in addition to the activities, or educators can download the presentations and other resources from the right column of this page. We seek to inspire students to think critically about mosquitoes and other potential disease vectors, including their fascinating life cycles and adaptations, and we appreciate you joining us in this important collaborative effort!

Each class keeps a Life Cycle Kit for about two weeks. It contains learning tools that allow students to actively study the biology, ecology, and control of mosquitoes. Students are able to safely observe the metamorphosis of mosquito larvae into pupae and then flying adults. Mosquito fish (Gambusia affins) may also be included so students can study the effects of a biological control.

Educators are provided with supplemental resources, including the teacher’s guide shown on the right with suggested lesson procedures, experiments, simulations, and other guided activities that reinforce key concepts. Students are also provided with information to take home, including CCVCD contact information and our services that are provided free of charge.

Objectives of CCVCD’s Education Program include:

• Students demonstrate understanding of mosquito life cycles and that mosquitoes require water to develop.
• Students can explain that some mosquitoes and other organisms can transmit certain diseases to people and other animals.
• Students can explain verbally and in writing how they can help in the fight against mosquitoes by dumping standing water and educating others about mosquitoes.
• Students demonstrate skills such as careful observation, scientific illustration, data recording, data analysis, graphing, and written/oral expression.

Alignment to Standards

Fight the Bites! need not compete with core curriculum for classroom time. Instead, it can help teachers cover core concepts and improve student skills by using hands-on materials and field study in local areas. To help teachers identify the ways in which the lessons can be used to meet their curriculum requirements, each lesson is correlated to the Next Generation Science Standards and Common Core State Standards.

We are excited to share Beware of Mosquitula! to engage kids in thinking about mosquitoes and their fascinating life cycle and adaptations. This humorous new book by educator and author Rick Reynolds, M.Ed., and illustrator Fran Lee teaches kids how to avoid the mistakes of the zany zombies and FIGHT THE BITES! Contact us for a free copy of the book, or click the cover image to view the e-book.

Mosquitula meets her match in this amusing new sequel to Beware of Mosquitula! Also available free in print or online from Clackamas County Vector Control, Mosquitula Meets the Great Gambusi goes deeper into the mosquito life cycle and a magical fish family. Contact us for a free copy of the book, or click the cover image to view the e-book.

The “Beware of Mosquitula!” poster describes fascinating mosquito adaptations and how to stay safe from the real-life blood suckers. You can contact us at 503.655.8394 or via the contact form here if you would like one or more copies of the poster. Please also let us know if you would like details about free hands-on and/or online training opportunities or if there is anything else we can do to support you.

Rick Reynolds, M.Ed., veteran educator and founder of Engaging Every Student, developed the curriculum, poster, and training in collaboration with CCVCD and a team of educators and scientists. He is also available to support you and can be reached at 503-380-4140 or via the form here.

Thank you for partnering with us to help keep our students and communities safe while we enhance science literacy and other important skills for life.