Beetle drive shows how insects have evolved

Would you like to have the chance to play Beetle Drive – but one where you get to design your own beetle' Well, scientists at the University of Plymouth have come up with a fun new version of the game that families can play as part of National Science and Engineering Week (NSEW) events at the Museum of Plymouth. The game sees children and parents start by building their own basic bug out of plasticine, and then throwing a dice to see which part of the insect needs to be changed. After a few changes, the game organiser will introduce an ‘event’, such as a forest fire, which only those insects with long legs or wings would be able to survive. Any insects who don’t fit the bill will be wiped out, and those players will have to start again. Peter Smithers, Scientific Officer in the University’s School of Biomedical and Biological Sciences, was inspired to create the game by his childhood experiences playing Beetle with his family. He said: "The whole point of NSEW is to get people interested and engaged with science and engineering. This game also has a serious purpose, to illustrate how insects have evolved to be so diverse." School groups will have the opportunity to take part in this and many other activities next week (15-19 March)_during school hours, and the events will then be open to the public from 3-4.30pm each dayand all day on Saturday 20 March.