Ag in STEM, a bi-weekly summer series hosted by Farming for the Future Foundation, kicked off June 10 at the Portage County Public Library in Stevens Point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The series began with an engineering with vegetables session where students constructed their own barns and tractors from vegetables grown in Wisconsin. Students were provided vegetables and toothpicks and were allowed the creative freedom to design and construct in their own way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSo often kids are told, \u2018don\u2019t play with your food,\u2019 but we actually wanted exactly that,\u201d said Jenn Scott, the Foundation\u2019s Education Outreach Manager. \u201cI was pleased with the launch of our first program and happy to see the kids having fun while engineering with toothpicks and vegetables.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Ag in STEM summer series is designed to connect students with agriculture through play and hands-on learning. Farming for the Future Foundation\u2019s is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit whose mission is to educate current and future generations about agricultural innovation and sustainability. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOur goal with this series is to help children understand the many opportunities available within the industry,\u201d Scott said. \u201cWe will introduce the direct link to STEM and agriculture, but we\u2019ll also share about career opportunities and help students connect themselves to agriculture.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Anna Borchardt, a parent of two students who attended the first session, said her children enjoyed the session.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI always think it’s good to get out and do something out of your typical routine or agenda to see what your kids are truly interested in,\u201d Borchardt said. \u201cIt sounded like a fun activity that they would enjoy and to get them out of the house to do something hands on and build with something they don’t get to play with normally.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The series will continue bi-weekly throughout June and July. Electric Potatoes is the next session, scheduled for June 24. Students will work to power batteries using potatoes. The summer series is free and open to students ages 9-12. The remaining sessions will be held at the Portage County Public Library Pinery room from 10-11 a.m. Reservations are not required but are encouraged as space is limited. To reserve your child\u2019s seat, visit bit.ly\/AginSTEM<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"