In 1987, the American Entomological Society initiated the Calvert Award to be presented to a young person who has demonstrated outstanding accomplishments in insect-related study. The Award is named in honor of Dr. Philip P. Calvert who joined the Society as a teenager, later became its president, and was a member for 74 years. As Professor of Biology at the University of Pennsylvania and an Associate of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, Dr. Calvert played an important role in stimulating an interest in insects among young people.

This year, the nineteenth Calvert Award was presented to Sarah Kirk of West Chester, Pennsylvania, a ninth grade student at Unionville Highschool in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. Her project was entitled, “Host specificity in two species of insect-infesting parasitoid wasps.”  Her project was selected from among about 20 insect-related science projects presented at the annual  Delaware Valley Science Fairs held on April 6 at the Expo Center in Fort Washington, PA. (Larger images of all pictures can be obtained by clicking on an image.)

Sara Kirk with her Award-Winning Science Project onthe host specificity of parasitoid wasps.

Susan King, President of the American Entomological Society, presents Sarah Kirk with the 2005 Calvert Award. Also shown is Hal White, AES Education Committee.

Daniel Zinshteyn was second runner up in the Calvert Award competition. He presented his project on "An investigation of organic pesticides on stored product pests."  Daniel also received an award in the Calvert Competition in 2003. He is interested in apped entomology. In 1888, Philip Calvert graduated from Central High School in Philadelphia, the same school where Daniel is now in tenth grade.

June Maloney, an eighth grade student from Monroeville, New Jersey received an honorable mention in the  Calvert Award competition for her project, "How will altering the diet of a tobacco budworm affect its maturation rate?" Stacy Candelalio, an eighth grade student from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania also received honorable mention for her project, Navigational skills with ants."  She was unable to attend the award ceremonies.

Four of the five students were honored at the Calvert Award ceremonies held April 27 at the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia. Susan King, president of the American Entomological Society, presented them with certificates of accomplishment and memberships in the American Entomological Society. Sarah also received a $50 check, while Samantha received a $25 check. All received memberships in the Young Entomologists’ Society and the American Entomological Society. The featured speaker for the evening was Sujaya Rao from  the Oregon State University who spoke on the appropriate topic, "Teaching Science in K-12 through Entomological Activities".

David Wright (left), Calvert Award Judge speaking with William Anderson, Sarah Kirk's teacher, Sarah Kirk, and her parents.	photo Samantha Neugebauer receiving her second place award from Susan King, AES President.	Daniel Zinshteyn receiving his third place award from Susan King, AES President.
June Maloney receiving her honorable mention award from Susan King, AES President.	Jon Gelhaus, past AES President, and Sujaya Rao, featured speaker at AES Meeting.	Susan King, AES President, presenting Bill Day with a distiguished service award for his 25 years as Chair of the AES finance committee.