Insect Discovery Lab

Life will never be the same after you hold the sturdy and tanklike Darkling beetle or the colorful (rainbow-like) eastern lubber grasshopper, there are no words to describe having 240 legs of the giant African millipede walk across both hands at the same time or having your imagination stretched as you look at the Malaysian walking stick's face, knowing George Lucas used it to inspire him to create alien faces for the Bar Scene in Star Wars. Then there is the whip-tail scorpion (not a true scorpion) that uses acetic acid to protect itself, which smells exactly like vinegar because it is! Just 85% more potent! You can make a communication connection with the Madagascar hissing cockroach - a few hisses and you will feel like a National Geographic Explorer. And of course there are a few more surprises.

Norman Gershenz is the CEO and co-founder of (link hidden) and director of the Insect Discovery Lab. (link hidden) has raised more than $4.7 million to help preserve thousands of acres of rainforest, coral reef and desert habitat around the world. Norm created and developed the first Adopt An Acre program in the United States as well as the award winning Conservation Parking Meter; both raise funds for international conservation. (link hidden)’s work has been highlighted in National Geographic, Time Magazine, and ABC's World News Tonight.
Norm was affiliated with the San Francisco Zoo for more than 18 years as an educator, member of the animal care staff, fundraiser, and researcher. Norm has tracked black rhinos in Zimbabwe, chased orangutans in Borneo, and stalked the elusive platypus in Australia. He has handled boas and bobcats, pandas and elephants, snow leopards and koalas, hippos and hornbills. He has worked as a field biologist and naturalist in Borneo, Malaysia, India, Nepal, Costa Rica and Namibia.
We have received the World Wildlife Fund’s Conservation Award, Congressional Recognition from the United States Congress and The Nature Conservancy’s Outstanding Contribution to Conservation.
In 2010 Norm was awarded the prestigious Elizabeth Terwilliger Prize for conservation and in 2018 received the Lifetime Achievement for Conservation from the American Association of Zoo Keepers.
Norm is also noted gourmet insect chef, a lecturer in biology, an expert birder AND can spot a beetle at 50 mph.

The Insect Discovery Lab is an intimate experience and often excels when the audience is between 20-25 people (both kids and adults). Ideally the program is held indoors to assure no animals decide to take up residence in a wild habitat. No sound system or special technical components are necessary. Once the Education Specialist arrives you are ready to go.