LONDON, Ohio – A pair of large trailers and their contents will be of interest to attendees young and old at this year’s Farm Science Review. Ohio State University’s BUGmobile and 4-H Mobile Classroom are making stops at the event.

“I work with bugs and there’s fear with them, and I understand that,” said Jeni Ruisch, the curator of the OSU Insectary, director of outreach for the Department of Entomology, and the BUGmobile’s lead designer. “When you are out in the world and you see a bug, most of the time it’s a surprise and it’s on their terms, not yours. It’s very human adaptation to be startled at that.”

The BUGmobile, a 28-foot-long Airstream trailer, includes a collection of about 150 species of beetles, spiders, crustaceans and other arthropods. The trailer is a mobile entomology classroom, museum, zoo and laboratory. It’s essentially a traveling insectary that brings live insects and educational programs directly to schools, libraries, community centers and public events across Ohio.

Through the BUGmobile, Ruisch is able to help people appreciate the world of arthropods, which is the umbrella term for animals with exoskeletons and at least six legs, such as insects, centipedes and spiders.

“The BUGmobile carries about 150 different species of insects which are out and about on the vehicle for visitors to see and sometimes touch,” Ruisch said. “The BUGmobile is designed to teach people of all ages about insects, their role in ecosystems and their importance to food production and environmental health.

“When you step on board the BUGmobile you are welcome to look, touch or even hold a few of the animals the trailer has to offer.”

Tarantulas, cockroaches, scorpions and pill bugs are just a few of the live insects you can visit on the BUGmobile. There are also pinned and preserved specimens of bees, wasps and a multitude of other insects onboard.

“Nothing can take the place of the experience of holding an animal or just watching it in front of you and talking about it,” Ruisch said.

Not interested in bugs? Then head to a trailer of a different type. Ohio State’s 4-H Mobile Classroom, which brings STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) learning to Farm Science Review, will be of interest to students and parents alike. The Mobile Classroom’s mission is to bridge the technology gap for K-12 students in underserved areas across Ohio and spread the impact of Ohio State’s 4-H Youth Development Program.

The 35-foot, 4-H Mobile is led by Christy Millhouse, a dedicated STEM educator with 4-H. As a STEM educator for Extension, Millhouse drives to roughly 30 towns and cities in 26 Ohio counties each year, reaching more than 4,000 youth at camps, schools, county fairs and community events.

“This bus really fulfills that mission of our land-grant university,” Millhouse said. “We are taking what we do in 4-H out into the community. The 4-H Mobile Classroom is an opportunity for young people to explore and try things maybe they’ve never tried before.”

Farm Science Review provides the perfect stage for the 4-H Mobile Classroom because it brings farm families, students and educators together in one place, Millhouse said.

“The Mobile Classroom is more than just a vehicle for education, it’s a catalyst for lifelong learning and creativity,” Millhouse said. “The idea is to help kids get excited about using technology that they may have never been able to access before. We want kids to see that they can do more than they thought possible. We’re opening minds to what they can achieve through technology.”

In the Youth Discovery Center, where the 4-H Mobile Classroom will be stationed, children and parents can learn side by side. From science experiments and natural resource activities to interactive technology, the space highlights Extension’s mission to provide hands-on education that connects the classroom to real-world opportunities.

“We want students to leave the classroom with more than just a cool project,” Millhouse said. “We want them to leave knowing that they can pursue a future in STEAM if they want it.”

Millhouse aims to foster creative thinking and career possibilities, and spread awareness that Ohio 4-H offers more than agriculture education. The experience also makes Ohio State seem more attainable and approachable for young visitors.