Education

EDUCATION

Clackamas County Vector Control’s education program “Fight the Bites!” offers an exciting way to teach science education in and out of school. I have used the program in multiple settings and find it extremely flexible to use both indoors and out-of-doors. It is perfect for the classroom or camp settings, and works well with K-12 grades. Lessons are hands-on and aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards. Best of all, the supplies needed are provided free of charge and delivered directly to your site by Clackamas County Vector Control, including live mosquito larvae in safe emergence cages to study the mosquito life cycle. The creator of the curriculum, Rick Reynolds, M.S.Ed., provides free workshops for educators. Many free resources are supplied, such as engaging books, posters, magnification tools, pipettes, petri dishes, and colorful handouts. The website hosts a teacher’s guide, videos, interactive educational video games, and much more. If you are a formal or informal educator looking for an engaging life science unit, I highly recommend this program. Love this curriculum!

Janet Nagele
Associate Professor
Oregon State University Extension Service

OUR GOAL

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.

OVERVIEW

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.

FREE CLASSROOM RESOURCES

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 affinis) 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.

NEW! “Vera vs. Vectors + Viruses” Interactive Book

Vera’s new job takes her all over the county, from beautiful farms to wetlands. She solves science mysteries and keeps people and animals safe. How much do your students and kids know about staying safe from mosquitoes, ticks, flies, and other disease vectors?

Learn More About “Vera vs. Vectors + Viruses”

“Fight the Bites!” Video Game

Don’t let Mosquitula suck your blood! Fight off her attacks and complete quests as you journey through Clackamas Land. Mosquitula has taken over Clackamas Land!

The Zany Zombies let water collect. Now blood-sucking mosquitoes are everywhere.

Learn More About “Fight the Bites!”

FREE CHILDREN’S BOOKS!

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.

FREE POSTERS AND MORE!

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.