A Randomized and Controlled Research Study Assessing the Emotions and Beliefs of Future Middle School Science Teachers toward Terrestrial Isopods.

Ron Wagler,Amy Wagler

doi:10.3390/insects13030233

Abstract

Simple SummaryTerrestrial isopods are small land-dwelling animals and can be an effective curriculum tool when used in a science classroom. A study was performed where future middle school science teachers participated in activities with living terrestrial isopods. We found that terrestrial isopods are the ideal “model” living arthropod to initially use in middle school science teacher preparation programs and middle school science teacher professional development.Terrestrial isopods, a diverse group of small crustaceans, are a beneficial component of a healthy ecosystem. Terrestrial isopods are also excellent living animals to have in a middle school science classroom. The current study evaluated if future middle school science teachers would utilize living terrestrial isopods in their classroom, and if they would not, to what extent fear and disgust towards arthropods was a factor that influenced their decision to avoid them. Before the terrestrial isopod activities, the teachers had moderate fear and moderate disgust toward terrestrial isopods and had no desire to teacher their students about terrestrial isopods. After participating in the terrestrial isopod activities, the teachers had no fear and no disgust toward terrestrial isopods and had a strong desire to teach their students about terrestrial isopods. Based on the findings of this study, new discoveries and powerful recommendations are presented that are relevant to those that are involved in the preparation of future middle school science teachers and those that provide professional development for current middle school science teachers.

Highlights

Terrestrial isopods, a diverse group of small crustaceans, are a beneficial component of a healthy ecosystem
There was a decrease in fear ratings for the treatment group, but a change was not observed in the control group (Z = 8.31, p-value < 0.0001)
There was a decrease in disgust ratings for the treatment group, but again, a change was not observed in the control group (Z = 8.10, p-value < 0.0001)

Summary

Introduction

Terrestrial isopods, a diverse group of small crustaceans, are a beneficial component of a healthy ecosystem. Global biodiversity, and evolutionary history, arthropods are arguably the most biologically successful animal phylum that has ever existed and are involved in a myriad of ecological processes that make human existence possible [2] Even though this is the case, it has been well documented that people tend to find many species of arthropods disgusting and fear them [3–8]. Terrestrial isopods (See Figure 1), a diverse group of small crustaceans with approximately 3700 species, are an exception since they live on land [11] These animals can regularly be found under leaf litter and rocks throughout much of the planet and are often referred to as roly polies, sow bugs, pill bugs, and many other common published maps and institutional affiliations

Results

Discussion

Conclusion