ENTER THIS YEAR’S ALMANAC CHALLENGE:
The Big Bug Brigade
How often do you really think about insects? When you get bitten by a mosquito? When the fireflies come out at night? Or only when something really big happens, like when two broods with millions of cicadas emerge in the same year? (2024 …wow!)
You really should think about them when you see a field of beautiful flowers, listen to the birds sing, eat some yummy honey on toast, harvest some veggies from your garden, and so many other daily activities. Insects play a vital role in the environment and our lives. So, instead of ignoring or fearing them, let’s take some time to get to know and appreciate our insect neighbors!
Did you know that all bugs are insects, but not all insects are bugs? We’re using the casual term “bugs” because that’s what lots of kids call all insects, but "true bugs" are a group of insects that have specialized mouthparts designed for sucking up liquid—usually the sap of a plant, but sometimes blood.
No matter what we call them, insects play a vital role in the environment and our lives. They maintain healthy soil, recycle nutrients, pollinate flowers and crops, and control pests.
We’re calling on YOU to help us find out more about insects by exploring, observing, and reporting on the ones that live in your area! Here are some suggestions for the best way to collect your observation data.
· Just like people, insects do different things and are more or less active at different times of the day. So, we encourage you to select a day for your observations that will allow you to observe at three different times, although only one observation is required to participate in the challenge.
· Ask your parent or guardian for permission to go outside in your yard or ask them to take you to a park. Try to observe for 10-15 minutes each time.
· Look for insects on plants and trees; in dry leaves or under rocks and sticks on the ground; near puddles; even on the sidewalk or flying around.
Once you find some insects to observe, you can fill in the data on the Data Collection Form, write your observations, and draw some pictures.
Ask your parent or guardian to take a photo or scan of both pages of your form and email it to us, along with the completed entry form.
Parents/Guardians:
· Download and print the Data Collection Form and facilitate your child’s participation.
· Scan or take a photo of your child’s completed two-page form.
· Download and complete the Official Entry Form.
· Read the Official Rules.
· A parent or legal guardian must submit their child’s data collection form and official entry form via email to the address found on the entry form.
SHORT-FORM RULES
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. Sweepstakes begins on May 6, 2025, at 8 a.m. ET and ends September 30, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. ET. Open to legal residents of the 50 United States, D.C. & Canada (excluding Quebec) who are at least 18 years of age or the age of majority in their jurisdiction of primary residence (whichever is older) and have children between 6 and 12 years of age at the time of entry. ALL ENTRIES MUST BE SUBMITTED BY THE ENTRANT’S PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN. See Official Rules at natgeokids.com/almanac for complete details. Void where prohibited. Sponsored by Penguin Random House LLC, publisher of National Geographic Kids Books, 1745 Broadway, New York, NY 10019.