Teachers ‘Bugged’ By Class Workshop Educates Educators About The Area’S Natural Resources

Good bugs, bad bugs and ugly bugs invaded Coeur d’Alene High School Monday, giving Northwest teachers a crash course in entomology.

There were daddy longlegs - the good.

Colorado potato beetles - the bad. And Herman, the Vietnamese walkingstick - the ugly.

All were part of the Northwest Natural Resources Institute’s attempt to educate educators about the area’s natural resources.

About 106 teachers from Idaho, Montana and Washington are spending the week learning about resource management from representatives of agriculture, mineral, forest and water industries. The educators get continuing education credits for attending.

“There’s consumer disconnect from the source of production,” said Kristi Fountain, Northwest Natural Resources Institute director.

For example, most people don’t realize mining is needed for the production of CD players, she said.

“We’re working with teachers to teach them these things so they can give the information to students - the next generation of consumers.”

That’s why Jim Zahand, a Dow AgroSciences researcher based in Veradale, brought plastic baggies filled with bugs.

“The purpose is to acquaint people with how exciting bugs are for kids,” said Zahand as his first class of elementary teachers took their seats. “Secondary, is to give them some exposure to insect control so they can go back to their class and show kids what’s going on out there on the farm.”

Nancy Powers, who taught last year at Neah Bay Elementary on the Olympic Peninsula, was already planning how to use the bug teachings in her classroom. Powers said bug-collecting scavenger hunts would catch students’ interest.

“I think that for kids it’s more natural for them to be outside,” said Powers. ”It makes it a lot more hands on.”

Zahand’s presentation didn’t skip the controversy of chemical bug deterrents. He said it’s important for teachers to learn all the facts and research their stance.

Lining up an array of common products from anti-diarrhea medication to rose dust and WD-40 lubrication, Zahand asked teachers to rank the hazardousness of each product. To the class’ surprise, the insecticides ranked less dangerous than many over-the-counter medications.

“This pesticide issue is very controversial,” Zahand said. “I respect people’s views on chemicals. All I ask … is for them to try and look at both sides of an issue and come up with an educated position yourself.”

Besides bugs, teachers spent Monday “flirting with dirt,” learning about lentils and working with worms. Later in the week, they will attend workshops on riparian zones, forest ecosystems, and mine reclamation. The seminar will conclude Friday with field trips to area mines, dams, forests and farms.

“I know they take it to the classroom and that’s what makes us feel good,” said Fountain.

This is the seventh annual teachers workshop the institute has sponsored. The nonprofit institute was formed in 1992 and gets most of its funding from resource-related businesses. It is a Spokane Area Chamber of Commerce affiliate.