Science department teacher Robert Pulliam stands in front of a graphic advertising his new science elective being offered for the 2022-23 school year, Entomology. Pulliam started the class in hopes of correcting misconceptions about insects and creating passions among students. “Any students who already are naturally drawn to science and (are) curious about living things (should take the course),” Pulliam said. “(As well as) any student that doesn’t have a great relationship with insects and wants to understand what they’re all about, because I do think they might change their mind throughout the course of the class.” Photo by Nico Willman
Entomology, a class focusing on the study of insects, will be offered for the first time at CCHS starting in the 2022-23 school year.
Starting in the 2022-23 school year, Entomology will be added to the list of science electives available at Clarke Central High School.
According to the Clarke County School District Program of Study for the 2021-22 school year, the course will be covering insect biology, structure, behavior and diversity. At CCHS it will be taught by science department teacher Robert Pulliam.
“We’ll look at body plans of insects, their morphology,” Pulliam said. “We’ll learn how to identify them based on their body plans, we’ll talk about life cycles, about insects in human culture and commerce, and we’ll see how insects affect human life (and) how humans affect insect populations.”
“We’ll learn how to identify them based on their body plans, we’ll talk about life cycles, about insects in human culture and commerce, and we’ll see how insects affect human life (and) how humans affect insect populations.”
— Robert Pulliam,
Science department teacher
Grant St. Onge, a junior, is planning on taking the course to learn more about biomimicry, a personal interest of his.
“Biomimicry is how we mimic nature in the field(s) of engineering and architecture,” St. Onge said. “So, I’m taking Entomology because I think (learning about) insects will offer a cool perspective on that. They have some cool evolutionary traits that I can study.”
According to Pulliam, one of the main focuses of the class will be to shift students’ views about insects from disgust to wonder.
“(Insects) are often thought of as pests, but they have a much more complex relationship with humans,” Pulliam said. “They serve as pollinators and support crops that we rely on as food. We see insects in the textile industry, that’s where we get silk. We even see insects in everyday things such as baking and cosmetics. They’re (also) used for dye and food coloring.”
Pulliam believes that Entomology will be an enriching experience for students who are both fond and indifferent to insects.
“Growing up, I always had a natural draw to insects and wildlife and their purpose in this world. I sustained that interest throughout my life and wanted to share it with the students at Clarke Central,” Pulliam said. “I’m hopeful that there’ll be students that will come in and want to learn more about insects. (And) I’m hopeful that some students who don’t already have a natural love for critters will take the course and change their mind about them along the way.”
