Award Winning Projects, Eggstraction, and Experience from Outside the Classroom

Award Winning Projects and Experience from Outside the Classroom

Award Winning Projects

Students have been caring for chickens since late March.  These are egg laying hens that have begun to lay on a more consistent schedule.  We are collecting about six eggs a day from eight hens. Students are maintaining the chickens prior to class starting in the morning, in the afternoon, and during weekends. Students are learning planning and record keeping skills while they do this project and FFA degrees and other recognition. Student also learn how to use our egg cleaner and can bring eggs home after they have been clean

Eggstraction

Animal and Plant Biotechnology students have been working on a science fair project for several weeks.  Seen above and below are photos of one student's project investigating the best procedure for harvesting a chicken egg blastodisc.  The student discovered that using packing tape is helpful in keeping the egg shell together while puncturing and and cutting the shell open.

Other students are completing projects on different topics such as: the performance of E10 versus E85 gasoline, Does fish scale and skin coloration influence the presence of microscopic parasites, Is there a difference in egg production between pastured chickens and chickens with a choice of feed or pasture, and how does social media play a part in educating teens about genetically modified organisms.

Experience from Outside the Classroom

 

Martenette Farms visited the classroom for both morning and afternoon to educate students on lamb birth, honey bee colony establishment and maintenance, and assisting in transplanting vegetable and herb crops for their organic CSA farm.

Noble Mushrooms came in for two afternoon visits to teach students about nutrient benefits, how to start mushroom growing bags, and how to perform the sterile culture of starting new mushrooms.