Delta Vision offers first college course

"Public Health Entomology" is the study of insects and their affect on public health. This class, made up of students from the Vision Home & Community Program, is taught by an adjunct professor from Colorado Mesa University, Dr. Dick Nunamaker.

He has been interested in bugs throughout his life, and now he wants to pass on his knowledge and passion to others. This topic truly relates to everyday life. People need to know when and how to protect themselves from the various diseases transmitted by insects.

This class is about insects, and the diseases they can carry. Dr. Nunamaker wants to make people more aware of insect-borne diseases. Students also learn about the social life of insects. The class covers diseases in a variety of locations such as America, tropical and subtropical locations. Some of the illnesses presented are West Nile, malaria, yellow fever and many more. This class also helps identify symptoms of the diseases. A student can earn three college credits through concurrent enrollment procedures. This is a highly advanced level class; even a freshman in college wouldn't take this class.

Why would one take this class, perhaps you may ask? Public health affects everyone and the way that Dr. Nunamaker structures the class, including movies, slides, lecture and discussion keeps everyone engaged while learning very technical information.

Desteni Stack said, "The class is very interesting. We take notes and then look at pictures of the insects. It's crazy how they grow into adults! I also had no idea how many insects live on our bodies. We have no idea, because they are so small our nervous system doesn't know they are there. I really enjoy the class, especially with Dick for the instructor."

Camri Hulet explained, "Public Health Entomology is a very interesting class. It is fascinating learning about what insects cause which diseases."

Caeden Quist adds, "I like the class a lot, because I'm thinking about going into the medical field. I would like to know things about the insects, other arthropods and the diseases they transmit. It could really help me in the future. Dick is also a really good teacher. He teaches in a way that you can actually learn, and retain information he teaches in class."

This class helps people who are going into the medical field in the future. It helps nurses and doctors identify which symptoms are associated with a rash or a bug bite. It could even be something worse – an insect-borne disease. The learners taking this class, which occurs weekly on the Delta Vision school campus, are not only experiencing the expectations of a college class but are also learning valuable information about insects and their impact on public health.

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