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Member Symposium

2021 Education and Outreach Adapting to Challenges, Advancing the Science, Transforming the Future

Hokie BugFest: Transitioning an in-person festival to an online event

Sunday, October 31, 2021
2:18 PM - 2:33 PM MT
Location: Colorado Convention Center, Meeting Room 503-504
In-Person

    Presenting Author(s)

  • Dana Beegle

    Publications and Marketing Coordinator
    Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
    Blacksburg, Virginia

    • Co-Author(s)

  • SB

    Stephanie Blevins Wycoff

    Virginia Tech Pesticide Programs
    Blacksburg, Virginia

  • WW

    Whitney Weaver

    Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
    Blacksburg, Virginia

  • DF

    Daniel Frank

    Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
    Blacksburg, Virginia

Hokie BugFest is an entomology-themed science literacy event that has been held for the public every fall for the past 10 years. This event brings thousands of people to the Virginia Tech campus in Blacksburg, VA for a single day of learning and fun. In its 10th year, the event was held online due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This brought new challenges in delivering content as well as new opportunities. One of the most attractive aspects of a live, in-person Hokie BugFest has been its hands-on activities; from arts and crafts, to games, to touching and holding live arthropods. Transitioning these activities to an online format was particularly challenging. However, certain festival content, such as contests and challenges, were easier to execute and more engaging with online delivery. In addition, conducting the event online afforded opportunities to develop new content that proved highly successful. The transition to an online format provided valuable lessons that will inform future iterations of Hokie BugFest.