Name of the Award: The award to an outstanding young entomologist of the Delaware Valley is called the Calvert Award in honor of Dr. Philip P. Calvert. Calvert displayed unusual accomplishments as a young entomologist and illustrator in Philadelphia a century ago. He had a 74-year association with the Society and held the office of president from 1900-1915. At the age of 18 he contributed to the first issue of Entomological News and continued on as Associate Editor and Editor through 1943. As a member of the Society, the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University in Philadelphia, and as a professor of biology at the University of Pennsylvania, Philip P. Calvert was committed to entomological education. It is therefore appropriate that the award to an outstanding young entomologist commemorates one of the outstanding entomologists of the early 20th century. A short biography of Calvert as a young entomologist was published in Ent. News 95(4): 155-162 (1984).

Eligibility: Eligibility is limited to precollege students of the greater Delaware Valley who demonstrate outstanding accomplishments in insect-related study, who have not previously received the award, and who are not related to current AES Council members. The practice may be to make the award to the student with the best insect-related project at the annual Delaware Valley Science Fairs but other types of excellence can be honored. Although projects using Drosophila or other commercially available insects will be considered, preference will be given to projects relating to local species and projects demonstrating genuine interest in entomology.

Application: Worthy recipients may be identified by the selection committee without prior application. However, to assure consideration, students should apply for the Calvert Award. A completed application should include a detailed description of the project with illustrations of it and at least one supporting letter provided by teacher or sponsor. Ideally the award committee should interview the applicant with his or her project. Application/Nomination forms are available from The American Entomological Society, at The Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia 19th and The Parkway, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103.

Phone: (215) 561-3978; Fax: (215)-299-1028: e-mail: admin@entomology-aes.org

Selection: The Education Committee or an ad hoc committee of three appointed by the Committee will select the recipient each year at a time such that the award can be presented at the last membership meeting in the spring. While the selection committee has the prerogative not to offer an award in a given year if, in their judgement, there are no deserving candidates, they can award runners-up and honorable mention for noteworthy projects. Since 1987, over 100 students in grades 6 through 12 have been honored by Society.

The Award: All recognized students will receive:
 

1. Certificate of Accomplishment.

2. One year membership in The American Entomological Society.

3. An award letter from the President of the Society.

4. A copy of Entomological News celebrating the 125th Anniversary of the Society.


5. A entomological book relevant to student interests.

Publicity: The recipient will be announced in Entomological News. A press release will be sent to the appropriate local newspaper. If the recipient was a participant in the Delaware Valley Science Fairs, the Director of the Fairs will be notified. Photographs will be taken for the Society records.

Past Awards:

11/19/87 Revised 5/1/92, 4/8/98, 4/5/02, 2/23/06