MADELINE BEITZ RECEIVES
THE AMERICAN ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY'S
2008 CALVERT AWARD

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 twenty-second Calvert Award was presented to Madeline Beitz, from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, a eleventh grade student at Springdale School in Philadelphia. Her project was entitled, “The Effects of Turbulence on Butterfly Flight.” Her project was selected from among about 20 insect-related science projects presented at the annual Delaware Valley Science Fairs held April 2 at the Valley Forge Convention Center. The judges for the award, Hal White, Chris Taylor and Sarah Roeser, were impressed at the creativity and resourcefulness of Madeline's project.  She built an experimental chamber where butterflies could be videotaped
in flight with a fan blowing. She then used computer programs to analyze the movement in successive frames.

All students were honored at the Calvert Award ceremonies held April 23 at the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia. Dr. Susan King, president of the American Entomological Society, presented them with certificates of accomplishment and memberships in the American Entomological Society. Madeline also received a $100 check. Matthew Nicewinter, an eleventh grade student at the Christian Academy on Brookhaven, Pennsylvania, placed second and received a $50 check and membership in the Society for his project on the survival of termite populations of different sizes
. Shyanne Marquette, a sixth grade student at Collegium Charter School in Exton,  received third prize and a check for $25 for her project on "Mosquito Attraction".

Madeline Beitz with her Calvert Award winning project. Madeline got interested in butterflies when she visited the Academy of Natural Sciences live butterfly exhibit.
\
Matthew Nicewinter with his second place project on determining the minimal colony size to maintain a termite colony.


Shayanne Marquette got interested in mosquitos and what attracts them to some people an  not others while on a camping trip in New England.

The featured speaker for the evening was Gerry Hertel, Adjunct Professor, Department of Biology, West Chester University
speaking on The Insects of Africa's Forests. Several trays of African insects from the Academy's collection were on display. Also on display were drawings of butterflies made by the First Calvert Award winner, Margot Livingston.



 
Awardees receiving their Certificate of Recognition from Susan Whitney King, President of the American Entomological Society.



 






Calvert Award Home Page
Created 27 April 2008, Last up dated 29 April 2008 by Hal White [halwhite at udel.edu]

Copyright 2008, The American Entomological Society