Buzzing with Excitement: Students Get Hands-On at Fehr Ave Farm!
Last week, the air at Fehr Ave Farm was filled with more than just the hum of our busy bees – it was buzzing with the excited chatter of local students from Rise High, a program for Schenectady area youth where participants learn about STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) and other skills to success, in a fun and nurturing environment. We had the immense pleasure of hosting a fantastic field trip for local students, a morning dedicated to exploring the wonders of agriculture, the vital role of pollinators, and the fascinating world inside our apiary.
It was truly inspiring to see these young minds engage with the natural world around them. For many, it was their first time up close with a beehive, or understanding how a tiny flower translates into the food on their plates. These are the kinds of experiences that truly bring learning to life!
In a world increasingly driven by scientific and technological advancements, nurturing an early interest in STEM fields is more crucial than ever. Activities like this farm field trip:
Spark Curiosity: They ignite a natural inquisitiveness about how the world works, leading to deeper questions and a desire for knowledge.
Make Learning Relevant: When students can connect classroom lessons to real-world applications, the "why do we need to know this?" question is answered immediately.
Develop Critical Thinking Skills: Observing, hypothesizing, and drawing conclusions from direct experience are fundamental to scientific thinking.
Promote Problem-Solving: Agriculture is constantly evolving and presents real-world challenges that require innovative solutions.
Encourage Environmental Stewardship: Understanding our food systems and the role of pollinators fosters a sense of responsibility for our planet.
Seeing the wonder in their eyes as they peered at a hive, or the thoughtful questions they asked about sustainable farming practices, reminded us why community is the heart of everything we do here at Schenectady Urban Farms. We believe that by providing these rich, experiential learning opportunities, we're not just teaching kids about bees and plants – we're helping to cultivate the next generation of scientists, innovators, and environmentally conscious citizens.
A huge thank you to the teachers, farm members, and chaperones who made this trip possible, and to the enthusiastic students for bringing so much energy and curiosity! We can't wait to see what amazing things these bright young minds will accomplish.
