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Norman Brooks' Oakland Arthropods (Here is how Norman Brooks, who works with the LITES project [Leadership Institute for Teachers of Elementary Science] responded to my outlined goals for the year.) I am already thinking of ways I can contribute. The most likely for me will be with students who are interested in joining me in my OEAP ( pronounced O Yap) , the Oakland Elementary Arthropod Program. As Middle schoolers they can 1) assist me in the day to day maintenance of my animals 2) Assist me in some presentations and later do some of their own at conferences, workshops and family science nights 3) Tutor and train elementary students interested in arthropods. In return I will 1) furnish them with arthropods and and where necessary, help provide food 2) assist them with their science projects 3)Tutor them in math, language arts, and life science. I'm thinking of working with about 10 elementary schools with OEAP and feel the assistance of Jr. High and High school students would be invaluable. It seems that Jr. entomologists are "color blind". This seems to be good way of finding students of all races, at all levels with this common love and interest who can work and play together, assisting each other in scienctific explorations and achievements in other subjects. My vision is a city wide effort connecting the colleges/universities, high schools, Jr. Highs, and elementary schools. I've discussed this with others and we feel there is some real, needed research that our students can do. My major interests comes from seeing the excitement in the eyes of many African-American boys who are not succeeding in our schools. I've found that through insects I revived their interest in learning to read and write. I've also found this in many girls and bilingual students. This could be a great project for us and our kids. What do you think? Send a message to Norm Brooks