Entomology, often confused with etymology, is a branch of zoology focused on insects, their interactions with other organisms and the relationship with their environments. Enthusiasts of this field were encouraged to attend the Entomology Club interest meeting for Buzz Time on Mar 4. Future club meetings will be held during Buzz Time sessions in Ms. Nicholson’s room, 17-33.

Jennifer Nicholson, who teaches special education PACE classes, sponsors the club. 

”I’ve never started a club from scratch, so we are playing it by ear,” Nicholson said.

Nicholson founded the club at the request of junior Torren Williams, a student in her class. 

”Entomology has been an interest and a passion of mine for a while now. It’s what I want to do,” Williams said. “I was talking to [Ms. Nicholson] about wanting to start [an entomology] club, and things kinda rolled into place.”

While concrete plans are still on the drawing board, Nicholson has a vision for what a typical club meeting will look like.

”I plan on getting speakers in the field of entomology to come speak, plan bug catching activities [and] work with other clubs on campus who share common interests,” Nicholson said.

Despite likely not pursuing a career in the field, sophomore Mia Ipsen still harbors an interest in entomology and hopes to discover internship opportunities through the club.

“Currently I’m signing up for an internship for taxidermy [that is] going to cover wet taxidermy, which will help with insect preservation because the two are very close together,” Ipsen said. “Specifically, someone who does insect preservation would be awesome for an internship this summer.”

Ipsen opted to join the club to find like-minded individuals and hopefully view specimens from other enthusiasts’ collections.

“I wanted to connect with people who also found bugs and insects very interesting,” Ipsen said. “It was mostly to make new friends.”