If you give a child a critter: Establishment and expansion of 'Museums in Miniature' in the southeast

The Museums in Miniature (MiMs) project was established by the Entomology Club at Clemson in 2022 to simultaneously bring entomology to public schools and libraries and find purpose for specimens that were abundant or not museum grade. Supported by the Chrysalis Fund and the South Carolina Entomological Society, 25 drawers have been assembled for the state of South Carolina, along with educational materials developed by undergraduate and graduate students, all free of charge to interested educators. These professionally curated drawers include invasive species, beneficial insects, and state arthropods and butterflies to facilitate conversations about the insects they see every day. In 2023, the project received positive press, and it became apparent that MiMs would benefit communities across the southeast, beyond the 25 currently in use. Specimen drawers are currently in development for North Carolina, Mississippi, and Louisiana, and a “meet an entomologist” section of materials is established and expanding. While project management has relocated to Mississippi State University, the Clemson University branch of the program is actively supporting their communities across the state, and collaborations are expanding and strengthening. Through these efforts, we hope to inspire the next generation of entomologists, educators, and members of the public to conserve biodiversity, understand ecosystem dynamics, and view insects in a more positive light than the current standard.