Grants for kids to study beetles

Charles Darwin was so fascinated by beetles he paid people to help him build his collection. The Coleopterists Society and the Smithsonian Institute want to help kids explore the wonders of beetles, too.

They're providing grants for kids, in grades 7-12 to work on beetle biology.

Applications are due by November 15, 2007.

The Coleopterists Society, an international organization of professionals and hobbyists interested in the study of beetles, has established a program to recognize young people studying beetles.

The Society has pledged to provide up to $300 each year for the Youth Incentive Award Program. In addition to monetary grants of $150, award recipients will receive up to $200 (Junior Award) and $400 (Senior Award) of equipment credit from the BioQuip Products catalog, In addition to monetary grants of $150, award recipients will receive a one year subscription to the society journal, The Coleopterists Bulletin.

This grant is only for children in grades 7-12.

The objectives of the Youth Incentive Award are to:

• provide encouragement and assistance to young beetle enthusiasts (grades 7-12).
• promote the study of beetles, the most diverse group of insects, as a rewarding lifelong avocation or career.
• provide opportunities for young people to develop important life skills such as leadership, cooperation, communication, planning and conducting a scientific study, grant writing and managing funds.
• provide some financial support to enrich activities or projects.

A Youth Incentive Award Committee from the Coleopterists Society will evaluate the applications and will select up to two winners annually; one each in junior (grades 7-9) and senior (grades 10-12) categories. The selection committee invites proposals for topics such:
as field collecting trips to conduct beetle species inventories or diversity studies,
attending workshops or visiting entomology or natural history museums for special training and projects on beetles,
studying aspects of beetle biology, etc.

The proposed activities or projects will be evaluated on their degree of creativity, educational benefit to the applicant, scientific merit, feasibility and budgetary planning. This Award is for proposals by individuals only. Each applicant is strongly encouraged to find an adult advisor (teacher, youth group leader, parent, etc.) to provide guidance in proposal development, but the proposal MUST be written by the applicant. The Coleopterists Society would also be happy to assist in establishing contacts between youth and professional Coleopterists.

You can get all the info and application forms for The Coleopterists Society Youth Incentive Award Program from:

Dr. David G. Furth
Entomology, NHB, MRC 165
P.O. Box 37012;
Smithsonian Institution
Washington, D. C. 20013-7012

(phone: 202-633-0990, FAX: 202-786-2894, email: furthd@si.edu).

Also check The Coleopterists Society WebPage: http://www.coleopsoc.org/