PROMOTING MOSQUITO AWARENESS AMONG ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS, PART III

Curtis Best & Juliana Miller

Central Mass. Mosquito Control Project

111 Otis St.

Northborough, MA 01532

best@cmmcp.org

ABSTRACT

Public relations are recognized as an important component of a well rounded mosquito control program. Public relations outreach is typically directed at the adult constituents of a mosquito control district and rightfully so considering the decision making powers of that audience. There are constituents that because they have no voting power may be excluded from public relations outreach. They are the elementary school students.

Elementary school students represent the largest segment of any population. As a group they spend more time outside where mosquitoes may be active than any other segment of the population. Consequently they need information that makes them aware of mosquitoes. They also need information about how to protect themselves from mosquitoes. Because of their natural curiosity and enthusiasm they are very receptive to public relations outreach.

The CMMCP has created a public relations program that taps into the student’s natural curiosity. The program also compliments the classroom teacher’s efforts and works with the school’s curriculum.