In the spirit of early-day educational tools like the Jesup wagon, the Alabama Cooperative Extension System at Alabama A&M University puts a modern twist on this form of education through mobile education labs. These labs allow Extension specialists, agents, and volunteers to roll into communities all over the state to educate audiences of all ages.

Two educational labs at work are the Mobile Nutrition Lab and the Mobile STEM Lab. Both labs allow educators to reach underserved populations and advance key STEM and health objectives critical to Alabama residents. These labs are also funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Mobile Nutrition Lab

The Mobile Nutrition Lab is open to everyone, and its lessons are centered on topics such as the following:

• General nutrition
• Meal planning
• Reading food labels
• Wise food purchases

The Mobile Nutrition Lab also features lessons for children and youth in grades K-5 that include the following:

• Snacking on fruits and vegetables
• Limiting screen time
• Low-salt snacking
• Balancing food consumption and physical activity

Contact

Shavita Wood-Warren

Office: (256) 372-4954

Email: scw0027@aces.edu

Mobile STEM Lab

The Mobile STEM Lab introduces real-world, hands-on learning experiences in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics to young people ages 5 to 18. The lab’s goal is to inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators to solve the global challenges of today and tomorrow.

The 36-foot unit is equipped with multiple smart TVs, laptops, and a variety of lab equipment for fun, hands-on experiments, which integrate engineering design, mathematics, and scientific inquiry. All activities are focused on problem-based learning with real-world applications that align with the Next Generation Science Standards, Common Core State Standards, and the Alabama Course of Study.

The Mobile STEM Lab’s lessons are centered around topic areas such as the following:

• Electronics
• Computer skills
• Catapults and launch angles
• Robotics programming
• Coding
• Electrical circuits
• DNA analysis

Contact

Deanna Davis-Patton

Office: (256) 532-1578

Email: ddp0024@aces.edu

Scheduling a Mobile Lab Event

Organizations can schedule a mobile education lab event in their community by completing the form below. Note. Extension educators ask that the requesting organization supply a minimum of three volunteers to help with the programming for both the Mobile STEM Lab and the Mobile Nutrition Lab. If requesting both labs for the same event, supply a minimum of six volunteers.

Because of a high demand, the Mobile STEM Lab visits are limited to a minimum of 2 hours and a maximum of 4 hours. STEM activities are scheduled for a minimum of 30 minutes and up to 1 hour per group (15 to 20 youths). If the lab is requested to arrive before 9 a.m., contact the 4-H specialist.