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We are The Bug Chicks, entomologists who specialize in fun, accessible, educational content. We’ve made over 50 videos to teach people about the amazing world of arthropods—insects, spiders and other animals with exoskeletons.
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Sometimes when inspiration strikes you think why didn’t we think of this 5 years ago? It’s so simple– it makes so much sense! Our latest project is a perfect blend of nature, education and the power of social media.
We had an idea, to film America’s awesome bugs while promoting strong female role models and positive science programming. On our epic road trip, we’re bringing a vintage, green velvet couch and placing it into diverse ecosystems across the states, inspiring people to “get off the couch” and explore America’s backyard wilderness. You don’t have to visit the Amazon or Borneo to see cool animals – there is an amazing world to discover here in the United States!
Nature programming has been leaning toward fear and myth lately, and we find it alarmingly sad. The natural world is mind-blowing; we don’t really need to embellish it. We want to inspire wonder in the natural world. Also, where are all the women on television/web who are smart, funny and kind to each other? We have been told that we are great role models for young girls and boys (we’re best friends and real people who are in turns funny, smart, capable, silly and passionate about our work).
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When we teach, we tell kids to look with their eyes, before they look with their iPhones. However, linking mobile technology with kids and nature seems like a no-brainer. Phones and hand held devices aren’t going anywhere, and if educators are going to compete with games and apps and the internet we have to embrace the change and use the technology effectively instead of fight it or take it away from kids. This is why our partnership with Project Noah is so exciting!
During our filming trip, people can follow along via Project Noah on a Bug Chicks Mission! They can upload photos of arthropods we might see along our route, ask questions and be a part of the show. We will be putting pictures and interactions into the final show, so this becomes a user-generated web series to some extent. The final show will air online in mid-November, on Project Noah’s website as well as NPR’s Science Friday blog.
We never really understood that phrase ‘an idea whose time has come’ until this past week. Our project has caught the notice of many different groups with various interests from pro-girl organizations to famous bug-bloggers, national citizen science organizations and everyone in between. And just this week we signed an agreement with Honda. They are lending us a new 2014 Odyssey for our epic road trip vehicle. This is real. This is happening! Will you help us to make it as awesome as it can be?
Please consider supporting our efforts. If you support strong female role models, positive programming, science and fun educational content—this show is for you!
Feel free to share our Indiegogo link far and wide. We can’t wait to create this show and highlight the amazing diversity of America’s arthropods.
The Bug Chicks
BIO: Kristie Reddick and Jessica Honaker are The Bug Chicks. They received their master’s degrees from Texas A&M University and partner with several government and non-profit organizations including the US Forest Service, the National Ag Science Center and the UN Decade on Biodiversity on various educational projects. You can read their weekly blog on NPR’s Science Friday website.
