VCES Bugs on the Menu… Future Foods

Victorian Challenge and Enrichment Series: Bugs on the Menu… Future Foods has been designed for Years 5-6 high-ability students.   Entomologist and PhD Candidate, Shasta Henry, from the University of Tasmania will lead an exciting, interactive presentation followed by a Q&A session (40 mins).   The theme will be: Did you know that insects are the superfood of the future? (Image: Shasta Henry). Schools receive all the materials needed for this session including a world map and colourful sets of cards depicting insects and their scientific consumption data.

Students participate in a global workshop looking at cultural attitudes to insect consumption.  During a short break, students conduct their own scientific taste-testing trial.  In the last workshop, students respond to a series of super-food insect breeding challenges, investigate the impact of introducing a new insect super-species into our environment, and consider why some populations are resistant to the idea of consuming insects in their diets. Lastly, students have the opportunity to develop a newspaper headline and introductory paragraph promoting their own super-species for human consumption.

• There are limited numbers of tickets available.  Only ONE ticket of up to 25 high ability students per school for each event. 
•  NOTE: This is  particularly targeted for rural and regional students.
• Program flyer 2025_VCES-Bugs_on_menu-flyer

How to book your group

1. Book your students into either the morning or afternoon session NOT both.
2. Tickets can be booked using the link below (NOTE: one ticket is for a group of up to 25 students)
3. Download and complete the attached ‘Student_details’ spreadsheet Student_details_ and email this through to ecolinc@education.vic.gov.au

After your booking is confirmed

Please download the parental invitation and student nomination forms and distribute them to the families of the students.

• • 2025_Bugs on Menu_VCES_Student_Nomination_Form
  • 2025_Bugs_on_menu-parent-info

IMPORTANT:  Cancellation Policy

1. When you book you will receive an automated message from Eventbrite.  Save this carefully please.
2. Any cancellations need to be received in time for STEMLinc to re-sell your tickets to other teachers.
3. Please use the Eventbrite confirmation email to facilitate any cancellation of your booking.  That will automatically release your ticket for re-sale on our system.