Somerset and Wicomico county public school students experienced some of the agricultural activities taking place on the Delmarva Peninsula at UMES’ annual AgVenture from May 13-15. Hosted by UMES Extension’s 4-H STEM team, this year’s expanded event welcomed nearly 500 fourth- and fifth-graders to the UMES Research, Extension and Teaching Farm.
There, the students rotated in groups through stations manned by university faculty and extension specialists. Among the hands-on activities were: poultry science, high-tunnel vegetables, herbs, small ruminants, agricultural chemistry, soil health, small farm equipment, beekeeping and veterinary medicine. Educators with 4-H also helped the elementary school students make butter and participate in a cattle drive game.
“The activities were designed to get kids excited about agriculture, learn about how it impacts their daily lives and introduce them to potential career paths,” said Ariel Clay, a 4-H youth development STEM specialist with UMES Extension. “Having professors, researchers, graduate students and extension specialists lead the demonstrations helps demystify higher education and STEM fields to students when they are young. Interacting with them in fun small group activities allows these youth to more easily picture themselves engaging in science and agriculture.”
Gail Stephens, agricultural communications, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, School of Agricultural and Natural Sciences, UMES Extension, gcstephens@umes.edu, 410-621-3850.
Photos by Todd Dudek, agricultural communications, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, School of Agricultural and Natural Sciences, UMES Extension, tdudek@umes.edu.
