Community education for better termite control in Hawaii.

Abstract

We describe a program initiated in fall 2001 in Hawaii’s public schools to increase both student and community awareness and knowledge of effective termite prevention and management. Program staff spend approximately 15 hours in the classroom, with an additional 15 hours of teacher follow-up; and implement progressively more sophisticated curricula tailored to each grade level and meeting state standards for science instruction, culminating in an activity in which students share their knowledge with the greater community. Teachers may earn professional development credits by participation in a workshop consisting of 20 hours of training and 45 hours of classroom implementation. As of spring 2005, over 50 teachers in over 30 schools had participated in the program, directly addressing over 2000 public school students. Adult education classes are also offered in conjunction with the classroom program, and attendance at these classes has increased four-fold since inception of the program. Steps to create a sustainable statewide program are described.