Triple Trip!

Triple Trip 2019

(actually four stops)

Stop #1 We left campus at 7:55 am and went to Puskas dairy farm in Somerset on South Middlebush and Bennetts lane. Only dairy farm in Somerset county at this point.  Hard to believe this. Fun visit and learned a ton. We learned about Dairy cow judging. Some anatomical terms were: Hock, utter, pelvis area, pin bone, hook bone, thurl, pastern, hoof, short ribs, and the desired position or relationship for several. Also explained by Mr. Puskas, a 4-H Fair judge, were the importance of each aspect. Both and Mr. and Mrs. Puskas were both very knowledgeable and generous with their time.

Stop #2 From there went to Rutgers Food and Nutritional Science. Eye opening experience there. Not expecting a formal presentation, an experiment, and such great student hosts representing the Rutgers Food Science. For the experiment Our students did a fun activity/experiment learning about hydrophilicity, and hydrophobicity in foods.  The experiment materials were milk, food coloring, and detergent.  Some students had done the experiment in the past and already knew what to expect but still excited to see it again and show others. We were lead on a tour of the building including a renowned PhD's research lab and several experimental apparati. 

Stop #3 From Food Science we took a short walk then to Lipman Hall to learn from my Biochemistry professor at Rutgers, Dr. Peter C. Kahn. He always had a great knack for explaining the complex, abstract, can't see what you're talking about, on a common everyday level so all relate and "get it".  Dr, Kahn still has this skill. That was an exciting visit, students used a computer 3D model to see how a cancer drug (Methotrexate) / chemotherapy works with Dihydrofolate reductase, a molecule responsible for producing thymine, a DNA base. When Methotraxate and combine with Dihydrofolate reductase, DNA synthesis stops, and cancer is controlled. Dr. Kahn then took us to his research lab to show how he tested the drug. He designed and built the testing chamber himself. Really neat! 

Stop #4 (we were in a hurry! no time for pictures) And since it was only 12:10 we traveled 37 miles up to County College of Morris to see their Landscape and Horticultural Tech program where we have an articulation agreement with. Good to see and what beautiful facility. We just made it back at 2:17 only 2 minutes after students were released from classes to buses! YIKES!

Just in case anyone was wondering where the misnomer Triple trip came from, two years ago we did a similar route with different stops, that time was three stops. And since Triple trip is more memorable than Quadruple trip (actually a clunky word combo) Triple trip labeling wins.