The initiative follows YouGov survey data indicating that while 50% of teens express interest in insects, only 12% of parents report their children receiving significant school instruction on the subject. By tasking participants with developing projects that utilize biomimicry—ranging from swarm intelligence to natural temperature regulation—Orkin seeks to demonstrate the relevance of entomology in solving modern challenges. Dr. Daniel Suiter, an endowed professor at the University of Georgia, notes that such cross-disciplinary thinking is already fueling breakthroughs in public health and engineering.

Students must submit a video presentation detailing an original concept or prototype inspired by an insect. The competition offers a total of $180,000 in scholarships, with a $100,000 grand prize awarded to the first-place winner. Beyond the financial reward, the top participant will be invited to Washington, D.C., for the opening of a new visitor experience at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History’s O. Orkin Insect Zoo. Detailed entry requirements and rules are available through the company's dedicated portal for the competition.