The impact of invasive species is a serious matter, but a new, award-winning educational video created by the college’s Information and Communication Technologies unit in collaboration with the PA IPM Program uses a light-hearted approach to help kids understand the problem.

Geared toward students in elementary and middle school, the “BugMobile vs. Invasive Species” video addresses several categories of the state’s new academic standards, including watersheds and wetlands, environmental health, and integrated pest management. The video also offers suggestions for managing invasive species using integrated pest management (IPM).

IPM aims to manage pests—such as insects, diseases, weeds, and animals—by combining physical, biological, and chemical tactics that are safe and environmentally compatible.

The video is hosted and narrated by the BugMobile!, a Volkswagen painted to look like a ladybug and equipped with speakers that allow it to “talk.” The PA IPM Program takes the BugMobile! to events around the state to promote IPM.

In the video, the BugMobile! identifies the effects of humans and human events on watersheds, explains species diversity, introduces species that are classified as pests in their new environment, and analyzes the benefits to the environment and society associated with alternative practices used in IPM.

“BugMobile vs. Invasive Species” won five 2003 Agricultural Communicators in Education (ACE) awards, including a gold in the category Scriptwriting for Visual Media for audio visual coordinator John Dickison. He and videographers/editors Tom Cherry and Pete Warren also earned ACE honors for outstanding graphic design and animation, publications editing, video, and writing.

Also involved with the development and production of this video were Ken Long, PA IPM program assistant in entomology; Kelli Hoover, assistant professor of entomology; Diana Sammataro, research assistant in entomology; Lee Bentz, state integrated pest management coordinator, state Bureau of Plant Industry; Ed Rajotte, state integrated pest management coordinator and professor of entomology; Kristie Auman Bauer, PA IPM public relations and outreach coordinator; Lyn Garling, education specialist in entomology; and Jim Sellmer, assistant professor of ornamental horticulture.

The video comes with a lesson plan that includes content objectives, assessment strategies, and procedures. The lesson plan also includes pre- and post-tests for students to complete, discussion questions, and suggestions for other related extension activities.

To obtain a copy of the video and lesson plan, send a check or money order for $35 payable to The Pennsylvania State University to ICT, 119 Ag Administration Building, University Park, PA 16802-2602. Visa and MasterCard orders will be accepted by calling 814-865-6309. Shipping and handling costs are included in the price.

For more information on School IPM, see the PA IPM Program’s Web site at paipm.cas.psu.edu. Under the “Schools” link find out more about the School IPM effort in Pennsylvania and links to educational material from across the country. The site also features an interactive database to assist teachers with IPM background information, lesson plans, and support materials.

The PA IPM program is a collaboration between Penn State and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture aimed at promoting integrated pest management in both agricultural and nonagricultural situations. For more information, contact the program at 814-865-2839, or visit its Web site, paipm.cas.psu.edu.