How would you feel if this were your desk?

I think I’d be pretty productive + focused because I’d feel calm + undistracted.

This is what research has shown: being in the presence of nature can improve our mood, concentration + behaviour.

#InsectTakeover @k_howlett 1/10

See @lucyjones’s new book #LosingEden for a great summary of all the #Wellbeing benefits of nature

#InsectTakeover @k_howlett 2/10

Then why do outside spaces in lots of UK primary schools have surfaces like this? (Usually minus the fab insect graffiti…)

How can children enjoy the #wellbeing benefits of nature if the spaces they spend most of their time in aren’t green?

#InsectTakeover @k_howlett 3/10

Plus #naturedeficitdisorder means that children are spending less time in nature.

Research has shown that this affects their awareness of the natural world: children can better identify Pokémon spp than common UK native spp (Balmford et al. 2002)

#InsectTakeover @k_howlett 4/10

& my experiences of working with children in schools tally with this:

One child asked me if I’d planted all the woodlice under a stone for them to find!

#InsectTakeover @k_howlett 5/10

I’ve been examining lots of children’s drawings to understand their awareness of the wildlife that lives around them…

#InsectTakeover @k_howlett 6/10

Whilst mammals and birds were each drawn by over two thirds of children, 47% of children drew no insects, with 33% drawing no invertebrates at all.

See my poster for the recent @BritishEcolSoc #MVN20 here

#InsectTakeover @k_howlett 7/10

I’ve designed a survey for UK #primaryschool #teachers to try and understand how green spaces are made use of in school:

https://cambridge.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9sNi6yBS2JNfUqx

Pls share this link with anyone who would be willing to fill it in!

#InsectTakeover @k_howlett 8/10

I’ve learnt rural schools tend to have more #wildlifefriendly habitat features, like insect hotels or bird boxes, than urban schools, despite having similar levels of #biodiversity.

See my poster for @BritishEcolSoc #BES2019 annual meeting here

#InsectTakeover @k_howlett 9/10

Watch this space for a survey designed for parents of #primaryschool children!

I’ll be trying to understand if #UKLockdown is affecting children’s use of green space + how the amount of home green space influences this.

#InsectTakeover @k_howlett 10/10

Thanks for reading my #PhD in a thread!

For the rest of the day, I’ll be sharing #insect resources + facts that I love!

#InsectTakeover @k_howlett