Think Like a Scientist

Have you ever thought about how you think? Have you ever wondered how we can look at something that’s confusing and make sense out of it? Scientists do this all the time. Learning how scientists think can help us become better thinkers. The scientific inquiry process is an important part of discovering and learning how the world works. When reading Spigot, look for opportunities to Think Like a Scientist.

Zoology is the branch of biology that involves the scientific study of animals and all aspects of animal life. Entomology is the branch of zoology that deals with the study of insects. Bug collecting is the beginning of becoming an entomologist. Bug collecting is also a fun and informative way of getting to know a lot about the world around you. You can start in your own back yard, in the park, on the playground, in fields, at the seashore or even in your own home. As a caution, it is important to know which bugs could harm you—some spiders, ticks, and bees, to begin with. Always wear gloves! Here are important bug collecting suggestions from scientist John F. Kuhns, a practicing chemist, ichthyologist, paleontologist and inventor. For a more in-depth discussion see ―An Interview with John Farrell Kuhns on Bug Collecting‖ at http://www.spigotsciencemag.com/bugs.

How to Start Collecting Bugs

1. Have an interest in entomology. Fortify that interest by reading about different bug species and their ecology—where and how they make their living.

2. Have the proper collecting tools:
Sturdy collecting net
Tweezers,
Magnifying glass
A set of vials to hold specimens
Journal and pen
Gloves
Digital camera
Self-sticking labels
Bug-repellant for chiggers and ticks

3. Prepare a killing jar with some ethyl acetate on a sponge of cotton batting on the bottom. Putting the bugs in the jar will put them to sleep and then painlessly kill them.

4. Use ―Japanned‖ steel pins, insect display boxes, and labels to preserve the collected bugs.

5. Make detailed observations in a journal or on your computer. Record everything: where, when, and how each bug is collected.

6. Identify and label each bug using an insect field guide. Once started, you can add a collection from any place that you visit. And you’ll be thinking like a scientist—an entomologist.