With a critical shortage of healthcare workers looming across Virginia, a new mobile science lab is rolling out to meet the moment — and spark young minds.
A colorful 43-foot trailer towed by a pickup truck pulls up beside a Southwest Virginia elementary school. On the outside, it’s wrapped in bright graphics featuring smiling, cartoon-like characters dressed as doctors, nurses, and scientists. Inside, the walls are lined with interactive science exhibits on emotions, the brain, human and animal physiology, and environmental health.
Children crowd around glowing displays and hands-on learning stations, guided by Virginia 4-H educators who connect classroom science to real-world careers. By the time the students step back outside, something has shifted: Science feels exciting. Possible. Personal.
This is the Virginia 4-H Mobile Life Sciences Learning Lab — a state-of-the-art interactive classroom on wheels designed to spark young minds and help build Virginia’s future healthcare and science workforce.
Funded by a $750,000 grant from the Claude Moore Charitable Foundation, the mobile lab aims to reach more than 15,000 students over the next three years, building a broader, more diverse pipeline into the health and life sciences. The lab’s programming is aligned with Virginia’s Standards of Learning (SOL) and designed specifically for students in grades K–5.
"The mobile lab is designed to meet kids where they are — literally," said Jeremy Johnson, state 4-H leader and associate director for youth programs with Virginia Cooperative Extension. "We’re delivering high-quality science education directly to schools and helping young people see themselves in careers they may never have imagined."
Tackling a healthcare gap with early inspiration
Virginia faces an alarming shortage of healthcare professionals. In many parts of the state, primary care and mental health services are already hard to access — and projections show that thousands more nurses, doctors, and health workers will be needed in the coming years. With much of the current workforce nearing retirement, early exposure to health careers has become a key strategy for strengthening the pipeline.
The Claude Moore Charitable Foundation — a longtime supporter of education and healthcare initiatives across Virginia — has contributed more than $90 million toward efforts that expand access to opportunity, particularly in underserved communities. Its support for Virginia 4-H’s mobile lab is part of a broader strategy to inspire and equip the next generation of health professionals.
"The challenges in rural healthcare are immense, and it’s critical that we provide the next generation with the tools, knowledge, and inspiration to pursue careers in this field," said William Hazel, CEO of Claude Moore Opportunities. "Virginia 4-H has a proven model for youth development — and they’re an ideal partner for this work."
Turning curiosity into careers
Inside the lab, students explore interactive modules on brain function, emotional wellness, STEM careers, ecology, and more — all led by 4-H youth development agents and Virginia Cooperative Extension educators. Each lesson aligns with Virginia’s SOLs, reinforcing core science concepts through hands-on, inquiry-based experiences that support and enhance classroom learning.
"We’re not just teaching facts — we’re lighting a spark," said Erika Bonnett, a Virginia 4-H education specialist. "We want kids to leave the lab thinking, 'Maybe I could be a nurse, or a scientist, or a veterinarian.' That first spark can set the path for a lifetime."
The lab has already made appearances at 4-H camps, county fairs, and community events across the state, giving families a chance to explore hands-on science in a fun, engaging setting.
"Virginia 4-H’s Mobile Life Sciences Learning Lab reflects the very heart of Virginia Tech’s land-grant mission — using education and outreach to build stronger communities, create opportunities, and serve the needs of the commonwealth," Johnson said.
To find out when the lab will visit your area, contact your local Virginia Cooperative Extension office or visit ext.vt.edu/4h.