**Click here to see the flyer for Spring Days 2011 which will run from June 14th - 17th!**                                                                  

2010 Spring Days Report

Event Date: June 1, 2, 3, and 4, 2010

"Lambton Spring Days" is supported by the Lambton Kent Agriculture in the Classroom action committee. The agricultural themed event based on the provincial grade four curriculums is hosted at the Children's Animal Farm, Canatara Park, Sarnia Ontario through cooperation with the City of Sarnia Parks and Recreations Department. The program has completed a second year in 2010. Staff at the park was very accommodating and the facilities were effective with many farm animals in paddocks for students to approach. Several buildings suitable for group sessions were also available in case of inclement weather. The park buildings also accommodated a separate headquarters for the program and made it very convenient for program logistics. There were no fees for the use of the facilities.

Promotion

Approval to distribute the LKAITC program promotion flyer and letter to schools from the LKDSB and STCDCSB was requested and granted. Distribution of the project information package went through the community relations officers' offices. W. Hooghiem was also helpful with space in the science education partnership newsletter and email notices. Private and Christian schools were also provided with the information on the project. The 2010 program had eight schools registered, 10 classes, 244 students, 10 teachers and 40 parent volunteers for an overall total of 294 participants. We had one school cancel at the last minute due to a sudden Thunderstorm on Wednesday afternoon. We rebooked for the next open morning, only to be thwarted again by a fog day for the area. All those attending were the target consumers for this program. The program registration did not reach capacity and there were two mornings open. The statistics provided do not include the cancelled school which would have increased the numbers by 1 school/2 classes/51 students/2 teachers/8 parent volunteers Total: 355 participants

Program Overview

The program was developed using the Harvest Days template with students rotating through four stations over a ninety minute program. Schools are greeted and introduced to leaders and LKAITC is acknowledged as the program sponsor. An overview of the program for the groups is outlined and students are divided into 4 groups of a maximum of 15 students in addition to teachers and parent volunteers. The fast paced rotation of the students through the 4 stations is kept on time to ensure bus schedules and dismissal times for schools are not affected. All program equipment and signage was set up and removed each day to avoid any problems. Luanne Brien, Mary Margaret McDonald and coop student Drew Watts oversaw the logistics of the program.

Presenters

Presenters were recruited with an emphasis on strong agricultural background, broad farm knowledge and experience and presentation skills and enthusiasm. Lambton County residents: Judy Krall, Marge Rutten and (Carla) Joey Burnley and Kelly Johnson (Kent) were all excellent in their duties. Lead time on recruitment was six weeks to one month. They were provided with the written presentation format and timeline for the curriculum presented and an orientation meeting to discuss format and program schedules. An honourarium was provided as a token of personal commitment to the program for their time for the week long program and appreciation of their skills and support.

Stations

The four stations themes were determined on the basis of relationship to current curriculum. Simple Machines; presenter Joey Burnley, A variety of pulleys was strung from barn rafters for students to use. A lever, adapted for demonstration purposes along with handheld weights gave students a hands on experience with principals of how simple machines make work easier. Students learned the formula for pulley weight distribution and lifted weights beyond their own body strength. They brainstormed for machines on the farm and also were reminded of farm safety. The students left the station reluctantly to move to the second stop; Living with Farm Animals; presenter Judy Krall. This station was filled with fast facts for farm animals as students walked the lanes of Children's Animal Farm. A Hereford cow calf pair was featured with information to compare and contrast with a Dairy Cow and foods from both beef and dairy farms. Duroc, Hampshire and Yorkshire weaner pigs were popular with students as they learned terminology, swine characteristics and feed rations used. Goats and sheep were also featured with close up views and many questions coming from the students. Farm Foods for Healthy Living; presenter Marge Rutten; focused on crops and products produced in Lambton County and the nutrition of eating a rainbow of colours from foods and an alphabet of vitamins within foods fresh from a farm. Turning Rocks into Food; presenters; Kelly Johnson, Luanne Brien, featured students making soil faster than nature with friction techniques. Demonstrations revealed plant roots and vital plant nutrients held within rocks. Soil components were identified and erosion threats were examined with hands on activities. Students brainstormed ideas for ways farmers could protect their farms from erosion. Students identified seedling examples provided and were presented with a seedling growing project which could be completed before the end of the current school year.

Resources

The students and teachers receive appropriate teaching resources pre tour which includes activity sheets. Post tour teacher, classroom, and class resource materials are provided to encourage more agricultural inquiry on returning to the classroom; pamphlets and posters, games and factsheets with an agriculture theme. Appropriate resource material from various commodity groups, farm organizations and marketing boards is obtained. The classes each received a pumpkin and sunflower seedling to transplant and use as a second growing project as a continuing reminder of the program and agriculture. Teachers were encouraged to continue the agricultural theme throughout the school year with each unit.

Follow up

An evaluation was included with the resource material and teachers were encouraged to complete it with the class participation and return it for feedback for the program.

Positive feedback was echoed with each evaluation. Students and teachers were impressed with the resources provided and activities were well received during the program.