Detailed descriptions of year-round education programs at Auerfarm

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EDUCATION PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS

YEAR-ROUND PROGRAMS AT Auerfarm

Biotechnology in Agriculture

This is an exciting and easy lesson in modern science. What is DNA? How has science advanced in the analysis of genetic material? Students explore cells, heredity and biotechnology; examine the pros and cons of genetic engineering, then conduct an experiment involving green peas and dishwashing soap. Working together, teams extract DNA from living material and examine the strands under a microscope. Students learn how Biotech is a natural part of everyday living. Working as scientists, students identify chicken breeds and plant varieties during spring lesson and solve a genetics mystery during the three other seasons of the year.
8.2 - C 27; 10.1 - D 27, D30; 10.3 - D34, D35.

Chicken and the Egg: The Inside Story

Students learn about the life cycle of a chicken while observing the process of incubation (hatching of a chick embryo). Through games, henhouse tours, and meeting live chickens, students examine the structure and function of a chicken's body and distinguish between hens and roosters. An understanding of egg production, chicken varieties, and fertilization is gained by identifying the different poultry breeds on the farm. Older students will candle and examine parts of the egg.
PreK-COG 1; K.2 - A4, A5; 1.2 - A12, A14; 1.3 - A16; 7.2 - C15.

Food for People: You Are What You Eat!

Students discover the interrelationships among agriculture, food production and technology and how it helps meet the food needs of a growing population. Experimenting with bacteria that grows in milk; students learn that pasteurization prevents that is used with milk and other beverages prevents the spread of disease. Using fresh mint and other herbs, fruits and vegetables from our gardens, students experiment with different methods of food preservation.
4 - C 21

Kids and Cameras

Students explore and discover the Farm through the lens of a digital camera. While on a scavenger hunt students uncover the many treasures found on the farm. Using a variety of clues, students answer questions relating to agriculture and science. Students document their findings by taking digital photographs. Computers in our science laboratory are used to download the pictures and students are able to take their work home.

5.4.-B 24.

GPS/Global Positioning

Technology on the Farm through GPS (Global Positioning): Students learn how technology can simplify and improve the quality of life. Using hand held devices to map the farmland the students traverse the 120-acre farm by following the coordinates of the hills, valleys, roadways, orchards and gardens. The students work in teams to construct their own map of the farm.

5.4 - B25.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

This lesson introduces students to Integrated Pest Management (IPM). IPM is an important way for farmers to protect and sustain the health of the crop. Students learn that all living things need air, water, shelter and food in order to survive. Problems occur when organisms destroy the food that feeds them. Students identify plants and animals on the farm and describe their different needs.

Environmental Science

Matter and Energy in Ecosystems – How do matter and energy flow through ecosystems? Choose from the following five independent or related 1½ to 2 hour lessons.

Environmental Science Lesson 1: Nature’s Digest-Owl Pellets

The delicate balance within an ecosystem can be upset by a variety of environmental factors. Students learn about relationships between predators and prey, examine the food chain and the role of all living things. Working with a partner, students dissect owl pellets. Using bone-sorting charts, students carefully reconstruct what the "farmer's best friend" ate and where it fits in the food chain.

Environmental Science Lesson 2: Ecosystems

What happens to waste and decaying matter? Why are plants so important? What’s the difference between a food web and a food chain? Explore how the water, nitrogen, and green plant cycles work together in an ecosystem and affect predator-prey relationships. Students identify producers, consumers, and decomposers on our beautiful farm while learning about animal scat, food chains, and composting. They discuss the role that humans play in the life systems around all of us.

4.2 - B10, B11; 6.2 - C4, C 5, C6.

Environmental Science Lesson 3: Water Cycles

Bringing down the mountain is how erosion shapes our land. Students learn about water cycles in the classroom, come to the farm to hike the rolling, rocky remains of ancient peaks. They observe how the movement of water erodes the farm's streambeds, hillsides, roads and fields. Students collect soil samples, explore farming practices that limit erosion and create erosion models to demonstrate the movement of water, rock and soil.

4.3 – B13.

Environmental Science Lesson 4: Soils

What is soil made of? What are some different types of soils? Why is soil so important to plants? Learn about the properties of soil and its valuable place in the farm ecosystem. Students learn about the three basic types of soil as they examine soil samples and talk about percolation rates (drainage time) and saturation. Through a simple experiment with topsoil, children will learn the importance of preserving soil as a natural resource.

2.3 – A 21, A22; 6.1 - C3; 6.2 - C4.

Environmental Science Lesson 5: Let’s Dig In

Are your students' soil scientists? Are they ready for the science CMT? Complete the 6th Grade Curriculum Embedded Performance Task Science Experiment at the 4-H Education Center. This lesson allows the students to explore how water moves through soil. The Center provides the materials and cleans up the mess. This is an approved Department of Education embedded task experiment.

6.1-C3; 6.2 – C4; 6.4 – C11.

Nutrition in Action

Is there a better place to learn about nutrition than on a farm? What are the five food groups? How much is one serving? What is a balanced diet? These questions and more are answered through fun, hands-on lessons that emphasize the components of balanced nutrition and a healthy, active lifestyle. Each lesson is 1½ hours long. COG 1; 2.4 - A 23. Choose one or all three separate lessons:

Nutrition Lesson 1: Shake, Rattle, and Roll

Ice cream relay using ice cream balls. The end result of rolling the balls is making an ice cream treat through children's actions. Good lesson for pre-school.

Nutrition Lesson 2: Food Clues (You Are What You Eat)

Students learn clues that identify food for each food group and then make a chart of a balanced meal.

Nutrition Lesson 3: Snack Attack (Creating a Healthy Snack)

Students learn about nutrition and then make a healthy snack.

SEASONAL PROGRAMS AT Auerfarm

Apples and Apple Trees

Fall is harvest time on the farm. Students of all ages participate in the apple harvest. They take a hayride through the 20-acre apple orchard and pick apples. The lesson includes exploration of pollination, effects of seasonal changes on the apple tree, and the apple’s growth cycle from flower to fruit. Using a simple hand-cranked press, students make apple cider. After learning about pasteurization, students enjoy a glass of pasteurized cider.

PreK-COG 1; PHY 2; K.3 - A8; 2.2 – A19; 7.1 – C13.

Amazing Corn

Corn's history and versatility makes it a major agricultural crop. Students learn that corn and its by-products are in more than 3,000 items in our grocery stores, and in environmentally friendly plastics and fuel. In our outdoor corn classroom, students examine corn kernels and other parts of the corn plant. Student can wander through our corn maze.

PreK-COG 1; 1.2 - A13; 2.4 - A 23; 3.4 - B7.

Maple Syrup Program

Maple sap needs the winter cold. In this lesson students follow the maple sugaring process from sap to syrup. On a tour of our "sugar bush," stand of maple trees, students learn how to identify and tap maple trees. They observe changes in liquid when the frozen sap melts and they collect it in buckets. In the maple sugar house, they observe the sap boiling and see how the liquid turns to steam. Our working evaporator demonstrates how 40 gallons of sap are condensed into one gallon of syrup. Students make maple butter to take home. An extended lesson includes pancakes with maple syrup. Older students learn syrup grading.
PreK-COG 1; COG 2; 2.1 - A18; 3.1 - B2; 6.2 - C4; 6.3 - C7

Farms Produce Food

In spring everything on the farm comes to life. Visitors explore food producing plants and animals. Working in our garden classroom, students plant their own seeds to take home, identify seed parts and discover what a seed needs in order to germinate and grow. The lesson can include: an awareness of the parts of a plant, germination, photosynthesis, and pollination.

In our animal barn, students participate in a hands-on interactive milking display and discuss the uses of farm dairy products. During their hayride through the 120 acres of gardens, pasture land, hayfields and orchard they are guided to listen and search for clues that show the plant-animal relationships on the farm.
PreK-COG 1; COG 2; COG 12, 1.2 - A12, A13; 2.2 - A19, A20; 2.4 - A 23.

Summer on the Farm

Summer is an ideal time to visit the Farm. Students experience the full bounty of Connecticut farming by witnessing crop production in the apple orchards, hay fields, woodlands, pastures, corn field, flower and vegetable gardens, Christmas tree field and pumpkin patch.

They learn that the natural ingredients in ice cream are found on the farm. They make their own ice cream with a traditional hand-cranked freezer. During this hands-on activity, students witness the freezing process as liquid transforms into a cool, creamy treat. The students also cool off by enjoying their ice cream.
PreK-COG 1; PHY 2; 2.1 - A18; 2.4 - A23; 3.1 - B2.

Summer Academy • June 28 - Aujgust 20 • Registration Form

Farm Explorers

Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 1 students will explore animal and plant life on the farm from barn and field to forest and stream. We will hike, take hayrides, do nature crafts, work in the garden and more! Program runs from 9 a.m. - noon. $150 per week.

Ecoweek

Students from grade 2 to grade 6 will discover the ecological connections between all living things in a variety of habitats. Come dressed to spend a lot of time outdoors! Program runs from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. $150 per week. Extended day option is available through 4 p.m. for an additional $25 per day.

Animals

Students from grade 2 to grade 6 will work with Auerfarm animals and learn about local wildlife. We will investigate biodiversity as we learn about survival needs and animal care. Program runs from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. $150 per week. Extended day option is available through 4 p.m. for an additional $25 per day.

Art on the Farm

Students from grade 2 to grade 6 will use a variety of natural materials to create original artwork. Bring your creativity as we explore different mediums including clay, fiber, paint and "found" objects. Program runs from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. $150 per week. Extended day option is available through 4 p.m. for an additional $25 per day.

*Titles based on the USDA's web site http://www.mypyramid.gov

The 4-H Education Center at Auerfarm offers year-round as well as season programs for youths of all ages.

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EDUCATION PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS