Place/Event: ISU Insect Zoo Location: 440 Science II, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011 or will travel to your location/school anywhere in the State of Iowa Cost: Visiting floor is free – check website for program fees and several options. Grade/age range: Prek-12 Group size: large or small – a small family or 30 student class. Hands-on: Yes Stroller friendly: Yes Bathrooms: Yes Food: NoGinny Mitchell makes connecting with kids and encouraging them to touch bugs a snap! We have been to her program at the ISU Insect Zoo twice. My girl loves creepy crawlers and Ginny brings just the right bugs! Her programs are hands-on and fun.
Bug in a bowl
Some bugs
Ginny Mitchell is a great teacher
And if you aren’t all that thrilled with bugs, just hang in there mama – It’s Worth It!and Ginny is Brave – THAT’s REAL
what we learned
my daughter really touched it
At the end of the program, all the kids are offered the opportunity to pet a tarantula – and yep, my girl did!Bee Hive ribbon cutting ceremonyThe day we visited the 4th floor of Science II, they were having a ribbon cutting ceremony for the opening of a new observational bee hive! They made a special hole in a window and the bees can fly in and out of the hive.
so many beautiful insects
On the 4th floor are lots of boxes of insects
Museum quality displays line the hallway and in one small room at the ISU Insect Zoo. Check before you visit on when the “Insect Zoo Room” is open. This is separate from the hour-long program that Ginny leads. ISU offers several great online resources including a Bug Guide. If you find a little creature in your yard and need help identifying it – check out their bug guide!They can also help with plant and insect problems. The ISU Extension is another great resource for on several topics. Every Iowa County has an extension office.UPDATE! Our local library hosted the Insect Zoo for a Bug Olympics program. The kids and adults had a blast watching Jumping Sticks leap around the library carpet and cockroaches race. Yes, we have an Amazing Library!
Hi Tara,
We here are Field Trip Iowa are not affiliated with the Iowa State Insect Zoo. Follow the links on the blog post to get their information or you can click here https://www.ent.iastate.edu/insectzoo/ . Hope you can get something arranged. It’s a wonderful program.
And if you aren’t all that thrilled with bugs, just hang in there mama – It’s Worth It!
At the end of the program, all the kids are offered the opportunity to pet a tarantula – and yep, my girl did!
Museum quality displays line the hallway and in one small room at the ISU Insect Zoo. Check before you visit on when the “Insect Zoo Room” is open. This is separate from the hour-long program that Ginny leads. 
ISU offers several great online resources including a Bug Guide. If you find a little creature in your yard and need help identifying it – check out their bug guide!
They can also help with plant and insect problems. The ISU Extension is another great resource for on several topics. Every Iowa County has an extension office.
UPDATE! Our local library hosted the Insect Zoo for a Bug Olympics program. The kids and adults had a blast watching Jumping Sticks leap around the library carpet and cockroaches race. Yes, we have an Amazing Library!
Could u please come do a visit with your bugs to my homeschool family?
Hi Tara,
We here are Field Trip Iowa are not affiliated with the Iowa State Insect Zoo. Follow the links on the blog post to get their information or you can click here https://www.ent.iastate.edu/insectzoo/ . Hope you can get something arranged. It’s a wonderful program.