By Andi Anderson
A mobile science van introduced in the 2023–2024 school year has helped bring agriculture-based education directly to schools, reaching over 2,130 additional students compared to the previous year. This initiative is part of a broader effort to improve agricultural literacy among kindergarten to fifth-grade students through interactive and curriculum-aligned lessons.
Previously, students learned through large, travelling science labs, but challenges such as transportation issues, space limitations, and rising maintenance costs prompted a new approach. The newly launched van offers the same quality educational experience in a more compact and flexible format. Educators travel with the van to schools, eliminating the need for field trip planning and permissions. This convenience is especially helpful for smaller, inner-city schools and homeschool groups.
Originally launched in 2016 with just one travelling lab, the Farm Science Program has grown to reach an average of 19,000 students annually across Michigan. The new van addition increased the total student reach to over 21,130 during the 2023–2024 school year—an 11% rise in engagement.
The van was developed after careful research and feedback from teachers and stakeholders. It is also more budget-friendly, costing $125 less per day than the traditional labs, and it requires only a one-day school visit, as opposed to the labs’ two-day minimum.
Teacher feedback indicates the van model is not only more accessible but also more effective in the classroom. Engagement levels have increased, with educators noting a 5% improvement in student interest and learning outcomes compared to previous formats.
In recognition of its innovation, the mobile science van program received the 2025 New Horizon Award from the American Farm Bureau Federation. This national award honours outstanding and creative educational programs that successfully connect students to agriculture.
Through this new mobile classroom approach, the program continues to inspire young minds by making agricultural education more engaging, affordable, and accessible across diverse learning environments.
Photo Credit: shutterstock-alex-brylov
Categories: Michigan, Education