To address the need for BugCamp we have conducted a survey of inner city, suburban and rural 7th and 8th grade students. This survey clearly shows the inner city students have a more limited understanding of insect biodiversity than suburban or rural students.

We also survey students before and after BugCamp. This survey shows an increased appreciation of biodiversity issues. It also shows that the students have a greater understanding of the role of scientists in today's society.

BugCampers enjoyed the course. One student said that, "It was cool to learn from all the groovey weird guys that talked to us about insects". Adriene Umeh liked cataloging "so much". Another student, Ivan Rice, particularly enjoyed the collecting trips and learning how and where to look for different kinds of insects. He wanted to improve his personal collection at home. Even the survey work, which includes collecting sweep net samples from each field, setting up and taking down the malaise traps, and pitfall and carrion traps, was performed diligently by the students. Russell Burton said it was exciting to look in the alcohol jar after a sweep to see if there was "anything good" in the sweep, like a grasshopper or an earwig.

Parents have also praised the course. In a letter dated four months after BugCamp a parent said that her child was still talking about what he learned at BugCamp, both with her and at school. Other parents have encouraged us to continue the course.

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