| | Third-grade students from Iberia Parish touch a shell from a snapping turtle at Ag Adventures. A live alligator snapping turtle is in the cage below. (Photo by Bruce Schultz. Click on photo for downloadable image.) |
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| | Students pet a Charolaise calf at Ag Adventures held May 2-3 in the Sugarena in New Iberia. (Photo by Bruce Schultz. Click on photo for downloadable image.) |
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| | Third-grade students in Iberia Parish look at a rooster on display at Ag Adventures, held May 2-3 in New Iberia. (Photo by Bruce Schultz. Click on photo for downloadable image.) |
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News Release Distributed 05/04/12
NEW IBERIA, La. – The LSU AgCenter hosted almost 1,200 third-grade students from across Iberia Parish May 2-3 to show them products from Louisiana agriculture and the state’s natural resources.
The Ag Adventures event, held at the Sugarena, took about an hour for each class to stop at each of the 24 stations for no more than four minutes.
Exhibits included farm animals, a huge alligator snapping turtle, a 2-foot-long alligator, a horse, shrimp net and tractors. The Vermilion Soil and Water Conservation District had its mobile Conservation Classroom on display.
Several adult volunteers and 4-H Junior Leaders helped by staffing the stations.
Brief talks at each station held the students’ attention, and they were encouraged to touch the animals and ask questions.
“I love the program,” said teacher Nancy Duhe from Daspit Elementary School. “They just do a wonderful job. It teaches them what is right here, and the kids love it.”
The field trip coincides with her lesson plan, Duhe said. “We do an entire unit of Louisiana, and this fits in perfectly. They have so many questions, and I learn something all the time.”
Blair Hebert, LSU AgCenter county agent in Iberia Parish, said third-graders are targeted because they are at a good age to hear about agriculture and understand the concepts.
“Also, it’s an introduction to 4-H that starts in the fourth grade,” Hebert said.
Teacher Laurie Guillory from Jefferson Island Elementary said her students were attentive throughout the entire event. “It’s definitely educational and hands-on, which the kids love.”
The social studies course focuses on Louisiana, Guillory said. “This is a great way to reinforce the lessons.”
One of Guillory’s students, Danee Sourinapouthoe, said one of her favorite stops at Ag Adventures was the small alligator because she got to touch the small reptile.
“We got to see a bear skin and skull,” said student Juliana Sigue.
Bruce Schultz