Teaching Scientific Writing in an Undergraduate Entomology Course Using Mealworms and Sandpaper

Abstract

Scientific writing is one of the most important communication skills entomologists use, and requires extensive practice and feedback to master (Rice 1998). Despite the ongoing emphasis on developing writing skills in higher education through the use of required college composition courses and “writing across the curriculum” programs, there is strong evidence that the only way science students learn, develop, and improve their scientific writing skills is by completing writing assignments within specialized courses that integrate research experiences with writing exercises (Krest and Carle 1999). Also essential is faculty feedback on writing, and an opportunity for revision based upon that feedback (Jerde and Taper 2004). This paper describes an exercise using mealworms ( Tenebrio molitor ) and sandpaper that I incorporate into my general entomology course as one way of developing scientific writing skills in my students. We begin the course with a close examination of insect morphology so that students can distinguish an insect from other types of animals (including other arthropods) and also learn the modifications of various external appendages used to identify different types of insects. The composition, structure, and function of layers of the insect exoskeleton are part of this introductory discussion. I emphasize the key entomological concept that the exoskeleton is an important adaptation responsible for the incredible evolutionary success of insects by its role in desiccation avoidance in terrestrial environments due to the wax layer in the epicuticle. Knowing the scientific literature and incorporating relevant findings into our own work is an important aspect of scientific writing. To model …