WATCH NOW: Kenosha Public Museum Eco-Science Fair teaches kids about sustainability .. and eating bugs | Local News
The Kenosha Public Museum’s Eco-Science Fair taught visitors how to make blankets out of plastic bags, create seed bombs and even to eat bugs on Saturday .
Kenosha Unified School District students and guest speakers also weighed in on environmental issues and potential paths to a more sustainable future.
Bridget Nash, the museum’s curator of social sciences, said the family-focused event — featuring groups from Carthage, Parkside, the Sierra Club and more — offered people information and resources within the community to help protect the environment.
“It’s a good day to spread that message,” Nash said. “This is something a lot of young students were really, really interested in and passionate about, but they don’t know what they can do.”
Carthage was represented by the Carthage Entomology Club, which had a wide array of insect-based snacks at their table. Chocolates, brownies or just flavored dried crickets were all laid out for guests to taste.
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“Edible insects are a very sustainable source of food,” said Club President Mary Gargano-Price. “It’s important to teach future generations other options to being sustainable.”
Although Gargano-Price said some attendees were a little hesitant, those who got past the mental-block of eating insects were usually pleasantly surprised.
“It’s still not as popular in the United States as other countries,” Gargano-Price said, “but it’s been a welcoming reaction.”
Joe Dubaniewicz, with the non-profit Kenosha Green Congregations, said they wanted to get their message of saving the environment and moving to cleaner sources of energy to younger audiences.
“We want to get kids involved,” Dubaniewicz said. “It’s their future, not ours, or mine at least.”
UW-Parkside’s Root River Environmental Education Community Center had an information table, where Environmental Education Manager Laura Schulz was handing out pamphlets and helping with some water test demonstrations for kids.
“You obviously want to get kids excited about nature,” Schulz said. “If they’re excited, they’re more likely to protect it in the future.”
Additional activities were set up throughout the first and second floors of the museum, such as creating miniature compost bins, crocheting blankets and making drink holders out of recyclable materials.
Other attending groups included the Root River Area Chapter of Wild Ones, Racine Master Gardeners and the Kenosha Department of Public Works, which parked a recycling truck for guests to tour.
IN PHOTOS: Garfield Goose program at the Kenosha Public Museum
Garfield Goose program at the Kenosha Public Museum

Frazier Thomas seen with puppet characters from his popular WGN-TV show “Garfield Goose & Friends.”
Garfield Goose program at the Kenosha Public Museum

Attendees at the Kenosha Community Media event “Remembering Garfield Goose & Friends,” held Sept. 17, 2021 at the Kenosha Public Museum.
Garfield Goose program at the Kenosha Public Museum

Attendees at the Kenosha Community Media event “Remembering Garfield Goose & Friends,” held Sept. 17, 2021 at the Kenosha Public Museum.
Garfield Goose program at the Kenosha Public Museum

Jim Engel, pop culture tv historian, cartoonist, and designer presents “Remembering Garfield Goose & Friends,” Sept. 17, 2021 at the Kenosha Public Museum.
Garfield Goose program at the Kenosha Public Museum

Jim Engel and Kevin Ervin at “Remembering Garfield Goose & Friends,” Sept. 17, 2021 at the Kenosha Public Museum.
Garfield Goose program at the Kenosha Public Museum

Kevin Ervin, co-owner of Franks Diner and KCM member, strikes a pose with Garfield Goose at “Remembering Garfield Goose & Friends” held Sept. 17, 2021 at the Kenosha Public Museum.
Garfield Goose program at the Kenosha Public Museum

Kenosha Community Media members Donny Stancato and Kevin Ervin with puppets at the Sept. 17, 2021 presentation, “Remembering Garfield Goose & Friends” at the Kenosha Public Museum.
Garfield Goose program at the Kenosha Public Museum

Garfield Goose & Friends and organizers of the Sept. 17 event sponsored by Kenosha Community Media. Back row, from left Donny Stancato, KCM and event promoter; Kevin Ervin, event coordinator, promoter and owner of Franks Diner; Jim Engel, pop culture television historian, cartoonist, designer; Walter Podrazik, television historian, analyst and media planner; Richard Schmerling, KCM; Jason Rimkus, KCM. Bottom left to right, Cassie Christianson, KCM; Suzy Schultz, director of Museum of Broadcast Communications; Ralph Piro, KCM; Jodi Diderrich Miskins, KCM.