“In our society today, there is one topic which is significantly overlooked by many, especially in our educational system. Despite insects being the most abundant organisms on the globe, the amount of people who study them are dwindling.” ~ Bradon Coy
Most people experience a fascination with little things at one point in their childhood, for many it is the micro creatures that roam our own backyards. From grasshoppers to butterflies, ants or bumblebees, many individuals have distinct memories of finding and catching these creatures in jars to examine closer with wonder in their minds. Bradon Coy, founder of Lil Dudes Insects Academy manages to harness this wonder and educate many about Entomology (the study of insects).
“Growing up I saw a lack of information online and in the library for young aspiring entomologists. I set out to create the resources that I wish I had access to growing up,” says Bradon. When asked about the manifestation of Lil Dudes, “I always had a passion for the little critters I could find in my own backyard, and despite the outcries from my siblings, I never found them gross or frightening. When coming up with a name, my siblings referred to me as Lil Dude, so it just seemed like the natural choice when naming my enterprise at 10 years old.”
At the age of 7, Bradon was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and because of that diagnosis in 2015 Bradon was granted a wish through the Washington/Alaska chapter of Make a Wish Foundation to go on a bug safari to Panama. For 10 days Bradon, his family, and entomologists from all over the world tromped through the jungle of Panama hunting insects and unlocking the wonder of the natural world. Upon his return, Bradon began to teach other students from ages 5 to 14 how to pin and preserve the insects in their backyard.
Bradon soon came to believe that insects could be the gateway to the other sciences through helping students learn to ask questions. Hands-on learning offered his students the opportunity to further their own comfort by learning to apply the scientific method. For about 4 years Bradon taught students through camps and workshops until the pandemic in 2020 changed everything. He could no longer go out and teach students in person, so he decided that the next step to bringing Entomology Education to more children was to transition Lil Dudes to become a 501c3 and broaden its reach. Now in 2024 at the age of 19 Bradon finds himself running the non-profit, learning about fundraising, along with recording and editing YouTube videos and podcasts, and interviewing professionals in the field to highlight the work that they do within the bug community, in addition to scheduling local classes with K-12 groups to once again teach in person.
Bradon’s own education is continuing as he is moving to be a student in the Entomology program at The University of Florida this coming fall. There, he will be working towards his bachelor's in Insect Science. This means that much of the work he has done over the years will be able to benefit from his expanding knowledge and connections. What does this mean for Lil Dudes? “I will have more resources for teaching online and continue many of my interviews and YouTube videos while at school, but ultimately, Lil Dudes will continue to thrive and grow thanks to the support of my peers.”
“Ultimately, my goal is to get insect education into more science curriculums, which will allow more exposure to the field and hopefully lead more students to Entomology as a career.” Bradon’s own interest and passion for the field has affected many already and is attested through the testimonials found on the Lil Dudes website. It’s common for students in STEM to go into biology, chemistry, engineering or other areas, but because of entomologists there are many patterns of the world that are understood on a deeper level simply because these professionals knew that it had to start with bugs.
How can you help? “We are always looking for generous donors, or sponsors for the classes and podcast. But visiting our website and connecting with our other outlets along with sharing those with your friends can go a long way towards educating other aspiring students like me.”
Keep updated with Bradon’s growing knowledge of the insect world and how you can help with the mission of Lil Dudes Insect Academy by visiting his website at lildudesinsectacademy.com to donate or connect with his other social media channels. There you can find his Weekly Podcast, YouTube channel, Instagram, and Facebook.
I set out to create resources that I wish I had access to growing up.