***WE ARE BOOKED FOR JUNE-August 2023***
***WE ARE OFFERING FAMILY VISITS ON SUNDAYS ONLY***
SUMMER 2023 PROGRAM
Two offerings, Song of Bugs and 2-hour display.
The Song of Bugs 2023
Join the Iowa State University Insect Zoo as we present ‘Unia, the Cricket Who has Lost His Song.
This original story, written by Insect Zoo Coordinator Ginny Mitchell and illustrated by ISU graduate Joshua Byrne, follows ‘Unia, a cricket who is on a journey to find out why he has lost his song and why others sing. During his travels to find if others like him have lost their song as well, ‘Unia meets 8 arthropods and learns why they sing. The breathtaking illustrations in this oversized book will capture listeners of all ages. ‘Unia, and the listeners, will hear the actual sounds from 8 different arthropods through a speaker located in the audience.
This performance reading of ‘Unia will be followed by a 1-hour display. This 90-minute program is open to all ages and there is no limit on the number of participants.
COST:
This summer program is $250 plus mileage.
SET-UP:
For the Story performance, please have the room arranged so the kids can be seated on the floor, with two chairs at the front for the presenters. For the display, please have 7-8 long tables (or equivalent) setup in a “U” shape. The opening of the “U” should be facing the wall. If a wall is not available, please have the tables arranged in a rectangle. The display does not need to be in the same room as the story performance, it may be located in a different room. If your event is outdoors, we require that we be under a structure or tent that is LARGER than the tables used.
SHARING THE DAY WITH OTHERS:
We can accommodate up to 3 program locations in one day. We suggest that you contact area libraries to coordinate days with them. If you coordinate a day with another area library, you will split the mileage. Please let us know if you ARE or ARE NOT planning on coordinating with another library as we will set up another program on that day.
Fill out your request for this program on our website and indicate in the comments or specific interests section that you would like the Song of Bugs program. https://www.ent.iastate.edu/insectzoo/node/add/request
2-hour Display
We recommend the display for public and large group settings such as fairs or open houses. The Insect Zoo will fill 6-7 eight-foot tables with live animals and preserved insect displays. The display is hands-on, interactive and fun. The come and go format allows participants to walk through, look and ask questions at their own pace. There is no formal presentation for the display. Our displays are staffed with 2-3 people to help the participants handle the animals, talk facts and answer questions.
COST: $375 plus mileage. Please fill out a request form for this display.
No limit on participants.
All ages.
SET-UP:
Please have 7-8 long tables (or equivalent) setup in a “U” shape. The opening of the “U” should be facing the wall. If a wall is not available, please have the tables arranged in a rectangle. If your event is outdoors, we require that we be under a structure or tent that is LARGER than the tables used. Our requests for additional shade for the animals must be met. Animals cannot be displayed in direct sunlight. If this occurs at any point during the display the animals will be packed up and placed in an air-conditioned space. We will assess the problem and try our best to work with organizers to find a proper shelter. If the needs of our animals cannot be met, the display will end, and you will be billed for the full amount quoted. Deaths of the animals due to lack of proper shade will be the financial responsibility of the billing person listed below and will be added to your final bill. Please have the tables arranged before we arrive and ensure that there is proper shade before we arrive.
SHARING THE DAY WITH OTHERS:
We can accommodate up to 3 program locations in one day. We suggest that you contact area libraries to coordinate days with them. If you coordinate a day with another area library, you will split the mileage. Please let us know if you ARE or ARE NOT planning on coordinating with another library as we will set up another program on that day.
Hands-on
On campus or at your location the hands-on program incorporates age-appropriate information on insects and other Arthropods. This option works for kindergarten through adult ages in a formal educational setting. During this program participants will get up-close and personal with the exciting world of Arthropods. The Insect Zoo’s program will introduce the basics of arthropod (insects, spiders, tarantulas, millipedes, centipedes, scorpions, etc.) form and function. Some topics that will be discussed are metamorphosis, importance, behavior and defenses.
50-60 minutes
Limit of 30 participants, adults are included in count.
Ages K-adult
Rates are based on 1-hour programs and can be found on the right side of the screen. Mileage will be assessed for programs outside of Story County, IA. Fill out your request form for this program.
School Display
We recommend the school display for classroom groups of 65 or less. This 1-hour School Display will allow the children to see around 25 different species of arthropods while learning about their importance, behaviors, defenses and physical characteristics. The School Display is hands-on, interactive and fun. The first 45 minutes the kids listen to an informative presentation on the animals and are then invited up to our display tables for an up-close and hands-on experience. Our School Display option is available all year.
60 minutes
Limit of 65, adults included in count.
Ages 1st-adult.
Rates can be found on the right side of the screen. Mileage will be assessed for programs outside Story County, IA. Fill out your request form for this School Display.
Hands-on with Art
Add an insect themed art project to your hands-on experience. The art activity can range from something simple like recreating a butterfly’s life cycle with pasta to painting with living paintbrushes with Leonardo DiRoachy paintings or Maggot Masterpiece Art. Activities will vary and depend on age. Those who choose this option will be contacted to talk about art activities available.
There is an additional charge to add-on the insect art which can be found on the right side of the screen. Mileage will be assessed for programs outside of Story County, IA. Fill out your request form for this program.
30-45 minutes.
Ages 1st-adult.
Display
We recommend the display for public and large group settings such as fairs or open houses. The Insect Zoo will fill 6-7 eight-foot tables with live animals and preserved insect displays. The display is hands-on, interactive and fun. The come and go format allows participants to walk through, look and ask questions at their own pace. Our displays are staffed with 2-3 people to help the participants handle the animals, talk facts and answer questions. Our display option is available all year, except during the school year when they are offered evenings and weekends only.
Rates can be found on the right side of the screen. Mileage will be assessed for programs outside Story County, IA. Fill out your request form for this display.
Minimum of 2 hours.
No limit on participants.
All ages.
Story Time with Bugs
For our preschool age friends we offer Story Time with Bugs where we share the stories of real live bugs! We bring along our bug friends to help tell a story about their life! (No actual book is read). The kids sit in their comfortable story time place while looking and learning about some really cool bugs. We require that the preschool groups have no more than 15 children and at least 2 adult helpers.
30 minutes.
Ages PreK.
Limit of 15 plus 2 adults.
Rates are based on 30-minute programs and can be found on the right side of the screen. Mileage will be assessed for programs outside Story County, IA. Fill out your request form for this program.
Large Group *** ONLY AVAILABE BY SPECIAL REQUEST.
We offer large group programs for groups of more than 150 people. These are perfect if you have a large auditorium or gym that you plan on filling up for the program. We talk about the animals while walking through the audience with live animals for everyone to see. At the end of the program participants will have an opportunity to touch some of the animals as they file out of the room. Our Large Group option is available all year, except during the school year when they are offered evenings and weekends only.
1 hour.
Limit of 175 (can do more, please include expected number on request form)
Ages K-adult
Rates are based on 1-hour programs and can be found on the right side of the screen. Mileage will be assessed for programs outside Story County, IA. Fill out your request form for this program.
Buggy Birthday
Have a Buggy Birthday with the Insect Zoo! During your birthday party the Insect Zoo will bring lots of cool bugs for your bug lover to look at and even touch. We will talk about the animals and answer questions. After the bugs are put away we will have a Bugtastic time creating an insect themed art project. The birthday child will receive an Insect Zoo t-shirt. We can host your party here on campus! We allow an extra 45 minutes after our program for cake/treats and presents. You must provide all supplies for food consumption and take out your garbage.
1.5 hours if at your location. Additional 45 minutes added if at ISU for cake/treats and presents.
Limit of 30, adults included in count.
Ages PreK-adult.
Rates are based on 1.5-hour programs and can be found on the right side of the screen. Mileage will be assessed for programs outside of Story County, IA. Fill out your request form for this program.
Family Visit
We offer behind the scene tours of the Insect Zoo’s facilities. These tours are limited to 7 people and last at least 1 hour.
Rates are charged per person and can be found on the right side of the screen. Fill out your request form for this program.There is an additional charge to add-on the insect art which can be found on the right side of the screen. Mileage will be assessed for programs outside of Story County, IA. Fill out your request form for this program.