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Video Q&A ViewAttendees 1

Medical, Urban, and Veterinary Entomology

10-Minute Paper

MUVE: Mosquito and Other Fly Vectors Ecology and Behavior On-Demand Presentations

An observational study kit of Aedes aegypti life cycles for middle school students in Puerto Rico

On-Demand
On-Demand

    Presenting Author(s)

  • Julieanne Miranda-Bermúdez

    Community Mobilization Supervisor
    Puerto Rico Science, Technology and Research Trust
    Gurabo, Puerto Rico

    • Co-Author(s)

  • AC

    Alice Colón

    Puerto Rico Science, Technology and Research Trust
    Bayamón, Puerto Rico

  • VR

    Verónica Rodríguez

    Puerto Rico Science, Technology and Research Trust
    Ponce, Puerto Rico

  • RS

    Rafael Saavedra

    Puerto Rico Vector Control Unit
    Ponce, Puerto Rico

  • Marianyoly Ortiz

    Associate Director
    Puerto Rico Science, Technology and Research Trust
    San Juan, Puerto Rico

  • GB

    Grayson Brown

    Executive Director
    Puerto Rico Science, Technology, and Research Trust
    San Juan, Puerto Rico

  • LC

    Luz Crespo

    Puerto Rico Science, Technology and Research Trust
    San Juan, Puerto Rico

Approximately 40% of the houses in Puerto Rico have Aedes aegypti breeding in or around houses, and training students to recognize and destroy this vector is crucial to reduce disease transmission. As an ESA Chrysalis Fund grant recipient, we developed an observational study kit to increase awareness among students about this problem. The kit included Ae. aegypti mosquito eggs, a tray to rear and feed the larvae, larval food, a Bti-based larvicide, mosquito breeders, magnifiers, pipettes, safety glasses, gloves, and data collection forms. The students reared the Ae. aegypti mosquitoes, observed the life cycle and recorded the data in their houses. Two educational talks and a video were performed for the students and teachers. The students observed the behavior and morphology of larvae, pupae, and adult mosquitoes. A total of 49 kits were delivered. We conducted a Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) survey to measure knowledge gained by the students. Of 49 students, 39 students from six middle-level schools could complete the observational project, but 32 completed the pre- and post-KAP survey. We observed a significant increase in knowledge (8.13 to 9.78) (p< 0.05). Other results will be described in the presentation. Finally, we will discuss the issues we faced in conducting this school-based project during the COVID-19 pandemic and how we resolved those issues.