The BUGmobile is the Vermont Entomology Academy’s traveling insect education program.
We bring hands-on entomology experiences directly to:
- Schools
- Libraries
- Nature centers
- Community events
- Fairs and festivals
What Is the BUGmobile?
The BUGmobile is a mobile natural history outreach initiative designed to make insect education accessible across Vermont. (May be limited outside of Chittenden County).
Each visit may include one or more of the following:
- Image-rich look at backyard insects
- Specimen collections
- Microscopy demonstrations
- Insect identification activities
- Facilitated outdoor insect observations
Participants learn how to observe insects and document their findings using iNaturalist.
Why Mobile Insect Education Matters
Not every school has access to field-based entomology programming.
The BUGmobile removes that barrier by bringing:
- Scientific tools
- Expertise
- Engaging presentations
- Field experiences
Directly to communities.
It builds ecological literacy, scientific confidence, and appreciation for Vermont biodiversity.
Host the BUGmobile
Interested in scheduling a visit?
We welcome partnerships with:
- Schools
- PTO groups
- Libraries
- Conservation organizations
- Community science groups
Contact Bernie Paquette at Vermont Entomology Academy to explore availability.
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Volunteers Needed
Reach out if you are interested in volunteering as a presenter or field observation guide.
Specifically, we are seeking:
- Volunteers willing to offer one-hour interactive insect presentations at local events (scheduling is flexible; no fixed commitment required).
- The idea is to create a pool of individuals, each willing to commit to at least one insect-related interactive program during 2016.
- Notices will go out to libraries, schools, and other community organizations offering a 1-2 hour insect-related program.
- Once an organization expresses interest and suggests a date and time, a note is sent out to the pool of individuals to see if anyone wishes to commit to that date and time.
- Equipment and Supplies for the mobile operation, including microscopes, field guides, insect nets, hand lenses, insect capture tools, entomology pins, display materials, and specimen trays.
This is a prime opportunity to amplify insect education across the state and engage diverse audiences in entomological discovery. Whether you are an experienced educator, field naturalist, student, or enthusiast, your time and expertise can make a meaningful difference in fostering environmental literacy.
Once the program gets its feet off the ground, we anticipate creating a pilot mobile natural history collection operation to serve camps in the area with lessons on insects.
We are seeking donations of the following: MicroscopeField guidesInsect NetsHand lens: magnifiers (multiple)Insect capture vacuum tools Entomology forcepsPinning blockEntomology pins in various widths and sizesPinning display box Pinned insects, including trays of specimens& Insect specimens that can be handledIdentification keys Collection jars, vials. & A pool of members who volunteer to offer one or more hour-long, interactive insect presentations in a year. No fixed schedule—just a willingness to share what you love.
- Volunteers willing to offer one-hour interactive insect presentations at local events (scheduling is flexible; no fixed commitment required).
- The idea is to create a pool of individuals, each willing to commit to at least one insect-related interactive program during 2016.
- Notices will go out to libraries, schools, and other community organizations offering a 1-2 hour insect-related program.
- Once an organization expresses interest and suggests a date and time, a note is sent out to the pool of individuals to see if anyone wishes to commit to that date and time.
- Equipment and Supplies for the mobile operation, including microscopes, field guides, insect nets, hand lenses, insect capture tools, entomology pins, display materials, and specimen trays.
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