Sparking Curiosity Early: The Oklahoma Ugly Bug Contest

Since 1997, the Oklahoma Ugly Bug Contest—run by an MSA Local Affiliate Society—has introduced K–6 students to microscopy through a playful, hands-on outreach program. Each year, classrooms submit insects to be imaged with scanning electron microscopes, allowing students to see the hidden beauty of the microscopic world and engage their communities through public voting.

The program’s impact goes beyond inspiration. Winning classrooms receive a microscope, often their first opportunity for hands-on scientific exploration. With MSA’s support of local affiliate initiatives like this one, thousands of students have been introduced to science in a way that is accessible, memorable, and deeply motivating.