From Pest Control to STEM Patron: Orkin's Bet on Bug-Inspired Futures

ATLANTA, GA – June 16, 2026 – For most of its 125-year history, Orkin has been synonymous with the eradication of pests. This week, however, the company is asking a new generation not to kill bugs, but to learn from them. With the launch of the 'Insect 2151' Science Fair, the Atlanta-based giant is staking $180,000 in scholarships on the idea that the future of human innovation may be scurrying, flying, and crawling right under our noses.

The national virtual competition challenges teenagers to look 125 years into the future and devise insect-inspired solutions to our world’s most pressing problems. It’s a striking pivot for a brand built on controlling nature, now positioning itself as a key patron for those who wish to emulate it. This move is more than a clever anniversary campaign; it’s a reflection of a broader shift in how we view the complex systems of the natural world and a strategic investment in the intellectual capital needed to navigate the coming century.

Bridging the Curiosity Gap

At the heart of Orkin's initiative is a documented paradox: kids are curious about insects, but our educational system often fails to nurture that interest into scientific inquiry. A YouGov survey commissioned by the company found that while 44% of teens describe themselves as curious about insects, only 12% of their parents report that their child has learned a great deal about the subject in school. For many, the only meaningful interaction with entomology is a practical one—calling a professional to remove a wasp nest or a trail of ants.

This “curiosity gap” is not an isolated phenomenon. It mirrors broader national trends in STEM education, where reports from the National Science Board have shown U.S. student performance lagging for over a decade. The 'Insect 2151' fair is designed as a direct intervention, offering an extracurricular pathway to a field that is foundational to biology yet often relegated to a brief chapter in a textbook.

"Through Insect 2151, we want to encourage young people to think like scientists, ask bold questions and explore how nature's oldest innovators can inspire the future," said Shannon Sked, Orkin's National Technical Director. The competition’s structure encourages this by asking students not just to research, but to develop a scientific question, gather evidence, and create an original concept or prototype. By making the competition virtual, Orkin removes geographic and economic barriers, potentially reaching a diverse pool of students who might not otherwise have access to high-level STEM opportunities.

Nature's Oldest Innovators

The premise of the science fair—that insects can inspire solutions in fields from AI to public health—rests on the burgeoning discipline of biomimicry. This is the practice of looking to nature’s time-tested patterns and strategies to solve human problems. After 300 million years of evolution, insects offer a nearly infinite library of design solutions.

"Insects have inspired breakthroughs in technology, engineering and design through biomimicry," noted Dr. Daniel Suiter, the Orkin Endowed Professor of Urban Entomology at the University of Georgia. He cites examples like mosquito-inspired painless needles and the architectural genius of termite mounds, which maintain stable temperatures in extreme climates. These are not just novelties; they are blueprints for efficiency and sustainability.

Today's researchers are already expanding on this. The swarm intelligence of ants and bees provides models for developing cooperative robotic systems for search-and-rescue missions or managing complex logistics. The compound eyes of a fly are inspiring new sensor technologies for drones, while the mechanics of a flea's jump are informing the design of powerful micro-robots. The 'Insect 2151' fair aims to put these same tools of observation and application into the hands of high school students, challenging them to connect entomology to fields they are already passionate about, whether it's robotics, sustainable design, or even entertainment.

A Legacy Beyond the Exterminator

For a corporation to successfully pivot from pest controller to STEM champion requires authenticity, and Orkin appears to be laying the groundwork methodically. This science fair is not a standalone gesture but the latest in a series of long-term investments in scientific education and research. In 2023, the company established a $500,000 endowment for the Orkin Professorship in Urban Entomology at the University of Georgia, creating a permanent academic resource for the entire pest control industry and beyond.

Furthermore, the company has a decades-long relationship with the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, supporting the O. Orkin Insect Zoo, the oldest of its kind in the United States. The grand prize for the science fair—a $100,000 scholarship and an invitation to the opening of a new visitor experience at the zoo—deftly ties the company's past philanthropy to its future-focused competition. These actions frame the 'Insect 2151' initiative not as a marketing ploy, but as a capstone to a sustained corporate social responsibility strategy.

This approach signals a mature understanding of a modern brand’s role. Rather than simply writing checks, the company is leveraging its core expertise and institutional partnerships to create a unique educational ecosystem. It is an acknowledgment that its long-term health is intrinsically linked to the public’s scientific literacy and the pipeline of future innovators.

The Corporate Hand in the Classroom

Of course, the rise of corporate-sponsored educational programs warrants a critical eye. While such initiatives can inject vital resources into underfunded school systems and provide students with invaluable real-world learning opportunities, they also raise questions about corporate influence on curricula and the potential for commercial interests to shape young minds. The landscape is complex, with philanthropy and brand-building often walking a fine line.

However, Orkin’s program appears thoughtfully designed to mitigate some of these concerns. The focus is on open-ended scientific inquiry rather than developing a product for the company. The substantial, life-changing scholarship amounts position the program as a serious educational opportunity on par with prestigious national academic competitions. By challenging students to think about global problems in public health, environmental stewardship, and sustainability, the fair encourages a broad, humanistic application of science.

Ultimately, the 'Insect 2151' Science Fair is a fascinating case study in modern corporate citizenship. It represents a bet that the most valuable thing Orkin can offer society is no longer just a pest-free home, but a framework for understanding and learning from the very creatures it has spent a century managing. In doing so, the company is helping to write a new chapter for itself, one where the exterminator becomes an unlikely, but perhaps essential, patron of discovery.