Progress 09/01/24 to 08/31/25

Outputs
Target Audience:During the reporting period, our efforts primarily focused on two key target audiences: agricultural stakeholders (growers, scouts, and Master Gardeners) and extension educators. These groups were intentionally prioritized because they represent the most immediate users of integrated pest management (IPM) tools and the most effective channels for dissemination of 3D printing innovations in agriculture. 1. Agricultural Stakeholders (Growers, Scouts, Master Gardeners) These individuals were directly engaged through our hands-on extension programming designed to improve pest identification, monitoring accuracy, and adoption of IPM practices. We targeted this audience because: They are often the first line of defense against invasive species like Spotted Lanternfly (SLF). They make critical decisions on pesticide applications, and improved decision-making can lead to reductions in insecticide use and improved environmental outcomes. Previous work indicates that hands-on, experiential learning improves adoption of IPM practices. Efforts to reach this group included: In-person extension events such as mock SLF scouting exercises using 3D-printed egg masses Field activities on estimating soybean defoliation with a 3D-printed defoliation key Beetle identification events using 3D models to reduce insecticide misuse in cucurbit fields These programs were integrated with real-time survey tools (e.g., Qualtrics), allowing us to measure pre- and post-program knowledge gain and behavioral intentions. 2. Extension Educators This group was targeted through pilot training efforts, collaborative program development, and workshop planning. Educators were engaged as co-leaders in extension programming and as participants in early development of our forthcoming 3D printing workshop. They represent a multiplier audience with the potential to amplify the impact of the project across their counties and networks. We targeted them because: They are trusted sources of information for growers and regularly develop and deliver pest management programming. Empowering educators with 3D printing skills enables them to produce customized, field-relevant educational tools. Their feedback and collaboration are vital to the design, refinement, and adoption of printed tools. Efforts to reach this group included: Collaborative programming at stakeholder events, where educators helped implement SLF and soybean case studies Preliminary data collection on adoption barriers, including surveys and informal feedback on 3D tool usability In summary, our work during the reporting period concentrated on these two primary audiences because they are central to the project's goals of increasing IPM adoption through experiential learning and scalable prints. Both groups were engaged through educational programming and collaborative implementation, and their feedback continues to shape ongoing activities and future workshop content. Changes/Problems:We recently requested and were granted an extension to accomplish the remaining objectives, principally objective 2. No further changes or problems are expected. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?During the reporting period, the project supported several training and professional development opportunities for both students and extension personnel involved in project activities. Graduate Student Training: One MPHM student received intensive mentorship and training in scientific research and communication as part of this project. This student played a key role in the design and evaluation of the 3D-printed pest identification tools and helped collect and analyze data from stakeholder trainings. As a result of their involvement, the student successfully published a peer-reviewed article related to the project's objectives. We also had several graduate student enrolled in our 3D printing course and received educational opportunities to develop their own 3D prints. Extension Educator Development: Through one-on-one collaboration with project investigators, educators received informal training on integrating experiential learning strategies into their programs. They were also introduced to the basics of 3D printing, including design considerations and educational use cases. Conference Participation and Knowledge Exchange: Project leads and collaborators shared early results from the SLF and soybean defoliation training tools at regional grower meetings and professional extension events (Leach has presented this information twice at academic meetings). While these events were primarily used to deliver programming, they also served as opportunities for professional dialogue and knowledge exchange between researchers, students, and educators. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Project results were shared with a wide range of stakeholders and community members throughout the reporting period. Grower and Agricultural Community Outreach: Our primary outreach efforts focused on growers, pest management professionals, and Master Gardeners, audiences who directly benefit from improved pest identification and management tools. Project activities were presented at multiple stakeholder eventsacross Ohio, including field days, grower conferences, and community workshops (e.g., Crop walks, Fremont Field Day, and county fairs). These events featured interactive displays, hands-on training, and app-integrated surveys. Extension and Educator Engagement: Extension educators were directly involved in delivering outreach programming and piloting 3D-printed teaching tools in their own communities. Several educators also co-led events with project investigators (SLF scavenger hunt, soybean defoliation survey), expanding their capacity to incorporate technology and experiential learning into their own programming. Public Awareness and Non-Traditional Audiences: We intentionally designed outreach activities to reach members of the public who may not typically engage with agricultural research. For example, the SLF Scavenger Hunt was deployed in local parks and Master Gardener volunteer programs which attract homeowners, naturalists, and community members not regularly involved in agriculture. We also distributed over 20003D-printed insect ID keychainsand egg masses at outreach events and through a national network involving extension educators. Overall, the project has prioritized hands-on outreach, visual learning tools, and accessible programming to reach both traditional and non-traditional audiences. By making pest management concepts more tangible and engaging through 3D printing, we are improving decision-making but also increasing public understanding of science and fostering interest in agricultural extension and technology. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Objective 1: Expand delivery and evaluation of 3D-printed IPM training tools We will continue to implement the three IPM case studies (Spotted Lanternfly scouting, soybean defoliation thresholds, and cucurbit pest identification) across new extension events, prioritizing underserved and newly infested areas. Additional materials (e.g., SLF egg masses, beetle ID cards, defoliation models) will be printed to accommodate increased demand from educators and field staff. We will refine our evaluation tools (e.g., surveys, Qualtrics forms) to better capture learning outcomes and behavioral intentions, and to streamline data collection during events. This is a continuous process as we alter questions to best fit the audience we are interested in. Objective 2: Complete data collection and analysis on adoption barriers We will finalize data collection from extension events and focus groups to assess the perceived barriers and facilitators of 3D printed tool adoption among growers and educators. Focus groups will be conducted with at least 10-15 participants per case study, and transcripts will be analyzed using qualitative coding to identify common themes. Objective 3: Launch virtual workshop for extension educators A major focus of the next reporting period will be offering our 3D Printing for IPM Extension workshop. This virtual program will train extension educators on how to design, print, and integrate 3D tools into their programming. Educators who complete the workshop will be provided support in printing their first tools (either through our lab or partner libraries), with the goal of encouraging independent implementation. Goals not yet met and strategies to address them: While data collection is well underway for all three case studies, additional events are needed to meet target sample sizes for robust statistical analysis. We will prioritize scheduling events during early spring and summer, before pest pressures peak. Objective 2 has lagged in progress which resulted in a request for aone-year no-cost extension. This extension was necessary due to the temporary unavailability of a co-PI, who was engaged in a Fulbright scholarship throughout 2025. The educator workshop was originally planned for Year 1 but was delayed to allow for more robust evaluation of case studies. All instructional materials have now been developed, and the workshop is on track for full delivery in the next period. In summary, the next reporting period will focus on completion of all data collection, delivery of the virtual workshop, expansion of outreach, and preparation of final summaries.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? What issue does this project address? Farmers face increasing pressure to manage crop pests in ways that are effective, economical, and environmentally sustainable. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) offers solutions, but adoption remains low for certain practices (e.g., like pest identification, action thresholds, and invasive species monitoring) because they can be difficult to teach and apply. Our project addresses this challenge by using 3D printing to create hands-on training tools that help farmers, scouts, and extension educators improve integrated pest management. Who is helped by this work, and how? This work primarily benefits farmers, extension educators, and agricultural professionals who are responsible for pest monitoring and decision-making. By improving their ability to identify pests, estimate pest pressure, and use thresholds, which will reduce the liklihood of negative off-target effects associated with pesticide applications. Furhter, these tools are especially helpful in areas where live pest samples are hard to access, which is common for invasive species like Spotted Lanternfly (SLF). Objective 1: Provide case studies showcasing 3D printing in extension programming to improve IPM adoption Major activities completed: Findings were published in Journal of Integrated pest management (Lang et al 2025) which documented impacts of case studies. Developed and distributed over >2000 3D printed SLF egg mass models and 2500 SLF keychain identification cards. Delivered interactive training at 4 events in 2024, including field days and grower conferences. Integrated app-based scavenger hunt surveys (via Qualtrics) to assess learning outcomes. This includes new IRB approve studies in collaboration with Mary Rodriguez (co-PI) Data collected and results: Across all events (n ≈ 500 participants), we documented 1) particpation satisfaction with the tools and improvements in IPM practices include: 8-23% increase in awareness and knowlege gain for invasive species monitoring 90% improvement in correctly idenfitiying pest damage and pest characteristics. Feedback from educators and stakeholders to refine future training messages (e.g., instructing participants to look at multiple heights and surfaces). Key outcomes: Increased knowledge and confidence among stakeholders for identifying SLF. Improved training effectiveness through hands-on and app-integrated learning. Objective 2: Identify barriers and facilitators of 3D printing adoption among stakeholders Major activities completed: Embedded qualitative questions into post-training surveys to assess interest in and concerns about 3D tools. Data collected and results: Educators were provided "starter kits" and were surveyed on their input regarding 3D prints. Key outcomes: High initial interest in 3D tools among educators and producers. Objective 3: Develop an online workshop for extension educators to learn 3D printing basics Major activities completed: Curriculum planning completed for 6-module virtual workshop (covering TinkerCAD, stakeholder engagement, and filament use). Online course was trialed as a short course at Ohio State University,ENTMLGY 7890 (3D printing in Entomology and Extension). This allowed us to develop the course material and give it an intial run so we could revise for the coming year. Identified state and regional networks that will be used to solict extension educator particpants for the workshop. Scheduled workshop launch for Fall 2025 and Spring 2026. Key outcomes: Created a replicable training program that can be reused for other training events. Established partnerships with county educators who have shown early interest in 3D printing. We have continued to grow the impact of our 3D prints by engaging diverse stakeholders and gaining further insights into how to improve designs and facilitate the development of prints with extension educators.The early success of these programs demonstrates that 3D printing can be a powerful tool for agricultural education, particularly when it makes complex or inaccessible subjects more tangible.

Publications

• Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Articles Status: Accepted Year Published: 2024 Citation: Lang, O., Basnagala, S., Michel, A., Tilmon, K. and A. Leach. 2025. Increasing the impact of integrated pest management education with 3D printing. Journal of Integrated Pest Management.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2025 Citation: Leach, A. Tracking Spotted Lanternfly in Ohio. 2025. SLF Summitt. March 13.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2025 Citation: 2. Leach, A., Basnagala, S., Rodriguez, M., and A. Michel. 2025. If we print it, will they use it? Entomological Society of America-North Central Branch. Lincoln, NE. April 12-16.

Progress 09/01/23 to 08/31/24

Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience for this reporting period includes agricultural producers, consultants and other stakeholders that implement IPM in agricultural production systems. Specifically, we have engaged with grape producers and the general public (to improve spotted lanternfly identification), field crop farmers and consultants (to increase accuracy of soybean defoliation estimates) and vegetable growers (to correctly identify problematic beetle pests in cucurbits). We also aimed to engage with extension educators who interact with all of the aforementioned systems. This includes educators and specialist within the Ohio state university system as well as other universities that may benefit from 3D printed materials created through the duration of this grant. Changes/Problems:Co-PD Mary Rodriguez is going on a sabbatical which will delay outcomes associated with Objective 1 and 2. We are unsure if this will require an extension, however it has led to delays for hiring associated personnel. In response to this change, we will be closely monitoring our progress over the next 5 months and communicating if the need arises for an extension. We currently have a lead for hiring and will proceed with the hire for a technician. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? The lead PD of this grant is an assistant professor who is gaining professional expereince on the implementation and deployment of the objectives. Two undergraduate researchers have gained experience developing and presenting outreach materials during two OSU extension event, "OSU's eat this earth day" event and Cleveland Metropark's research summit. The grant is also fostering the development of a new 3D printing course that will be used to train new extension educators as well as facilitate collaboration between reserachers who use 3D printing in their projects. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Yes, preliminary results from this project have been shared with research and extension stakeholders. The following presentations were given: 1) Antlion competition- National Entomological Society of America. National Harbor, MD. November 5-8. 2) Leach, A., D. Kelsey, Lee, J. and A. Michel. 2024. Uniting Around a Common Enemy: SLF monitoring in Ohio. Entomological Society of America-Eastern Branch. March. 24-26, Fort Collins, CO What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We plan to complete the following activities to achive the below (bolded) objectivies: 1)Provide case studies showcasing the application of 3D printing in extension programming to improve the knowledge and adoption of IPM practices. Complete data collections from remaining extension events from the season including 2 additional spotted lanternfly events, and 2 cucurbit field days for Autumn/Summer 2024. Increase survey efforts at these events to detail knowledge improvement related to these pest (currently we are below the sample size needed to statisitically analyze data). We will develop a user-friendly kit that would provide educators with all resources needed to run a scavenger hunt in their county. We will also ultilize our 3D prints in novel applications to create showcases for invasive species programming. 2)Identify barriers and facilitators of adoption of 3D printing amongst various stakeholders. Events for the winter 2025 have been identified to organize focus groups with the goal of understanding limitations of 3D prints for extension resources. 3)Develop an online workshop for extension educators to learn the basics of 3D printing. Short course will be administered in Autumn 2024 as a trial run before opened to extension educators in 2025.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? We have made several accomplishments in line with the proposed objectives: 1)Provide case studies showcasing the application of 3D printing in extension programming to improve the knowledge and adoption of IPM practices. 3D prints have been trialed out at 5 events across the country (4 for spotted lanternfly training and 1 for soybean defoliation tools). Further, we have 2 additional spotted lanternfly events, and 2 cucurbit field days for Autumn/Summer 2024. At these events, we gathered data to assess changes in stakeholder knowledge in the different prodcution systems (e.g., experience scouting for SLF, increased accuracy estimating soybean defoliation and correct identification of striped cucumber beetle in cucurbit production). Our preliminary data (n= 3 extension events) suggest we are seeing between 20-80% increases in knowledge within the topic area. We have developed new 3D printed materials to improve pre-exisiting extension programs. Spotted Lanternfly is a concern for many in Ohio. In addition to a 3D printed egg mass, an adult and nymph 3D print was created to improve the current SLF scavenger hunt. We are also developing a user-friendly kit that would provide educators with all resources needed to run a scavenger hunt in their county. 2)Identify barriers and facilitators of adoption of 3D printing amongst various stakeholders. Events for the winter 2025 have been identified to organize focus groups with the goal of understanding limitations of 3D prints for extension resources. Surveys will accompany events described above to better describe the type of extension resources preferred by agricultural stakeholders. 3)Develop an online workshop for extension educators to learn the basics of 3D printing. '3D printing for extension educators' short course is being developed and will be piloted in Autumn 2024 to undergraduate and graduate students. This preliminary course will allow us to recieved data on deficits of the course and improvements needed before it is offered to extension educators.

Publications

• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2024 Citation: Leach, A., D. Kelsey, Lee, J. and A. Michel. 2024. Uniting Around a Common Enemy: SLF monitoring in Ohio. Entomological Society of America-Eastern Branch. March. 24-26, Fort Collins, CO