Two University of North Georgia professors have been working with Super Science Kids and students in Cumming and Atlanta to get kids interested in science through bugs.
The project gets Dr. Evan Lampert and Dr. Davison Sangweme in touch with at-risk youth through science with the help of Super Science Kids. But, after the children learned about and then captured insects, the professors and two UNG students later took the mosquitoes, beetles and wasps they found to a lab to be tested for Wolbachia.
"Wolbachia may offer insights into how we can help control disease vectors harboring pathogens such as Zika, Dengue, Chikungunya and West Nile viruses," Sangweme said.
So far, the project has worked with nonprofits Mentor Me and Bald Ridge Lodge Boys’ Shelter, both in Cumming, and Presencia in Atlanta.
Mentor Me serves children ages six to 17 with individual and group mentoring as well as after-school enrichment programs. Presencia is a neighborhood-based tutoring, mentoring and leadership development program in Atlanta's immigrant community. Bald Ridge Lodge serves boys ages 12-21 who are in the custody of the Department of Family and Children Services or referred by the local juvenile Court with counseling, mentoring, community support and engagement in positive activities.
"We were the guest speakers who taught them about insects that day," Lampert said.
A mini-grant from the Center for Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities (CURCA) at UNG made the project possible.
Thursday
November 14th, 2024
4:06PM
