The Biological Control Brain Bowl (BCBB)
What is it and what did we do?
A community outreach program that provided an education
program for 20 bright high school students about IPM with an emphasis
on biological control. The students were expected to share their
knowledge of biological control with other members of the community.
The BCBB was largely a communications effort featuring two key messages:
1) the state spends $90 million to control invasive species every
year and 2) biological control is often the most efficient method
to manage invasive species. The purpose of the program was to replace
negative perceptions and fear about biological control with an understanding
of its science, and the key messages. Primary audience segments are
expected to share what they learned with secondary audiences; tertiary
audiences heard about biocontrol through media outlets. Educational
sessions included a laboratory tour, an experiment and other hands-on
activities. Students also participated in a public relations campaign.
What was the outcome?
It is estimated that the BCBB reached a total of 335,803 people. Members of the primary target audience group segments, or a total of 303 people, showed that their knowledge of biocontrol increased by as much as 500% among the student participants; media and school officials stated their knowledge of local biocontrol programs increased by a range of 20 to 50%; parents, relatives and friends of the students recorded an increase range of 10 to 150%. Students were able to answer correctly 95% of Brain Bowl questions.
The take-home message:
100% of the students said they believe biological control is often the most efficient method to control invasive species.
- View Brain Bowl Presentation (11.7MB PowerPoint)
- Visit the Biological Control Brain Bowl & BASH web site
The people that made this happen include:
- Dr. Bill Overholt, Assistant Professor of Entomology
- Dr. Ron Cave, Assistant Professor of Entomology
- Robin Koestoyo, Coordinator, Education Media/Communication
- Dan Culbert, Okeechobee County Extension Agent III
- Ed Skvarch, St. Lucie County Extension Agent I
- Ken Gioeli, St. Lucie County Extension Agent III
- Dr. Christine Kelly-Begazo, Indian River County Extension Director