FCBA members Laura Ritchie and her husband, Wes, organized and participated in the 2014 Ag Expo presented at the Frederick County Fair Grounds on March 27, 2014 for the benefit of 5th grade students at Spring Ridge Elementary School. Laura’s table was full of teaching aids with which she explained the life cycle of honey bees and how they contribute in Nature as pollinators. The second table was organized and manned by Wes Ritchie. Wes brought and explained the basic beekeeper hardware and how it is used, including the parts of a bee hive as well as the protective clothing worn by the beekeeper. Dave Maloney assisted Wes and gave samples of honey for the students to taste.
See more images here, including Laura’s Play Dough Honey Bee!
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The below article explains the event:
Grant Makes a Difference
Posted by Dian Nelson at 3/20/2014
Students to Present at Ag Expo
Thanks to generous donations to the FCPS Gifts for Education fund, a grant is helping fifth graders at Spring Ridge Elementary and their teacher specialist Dawn Getzandanner will get to participate in this year’s Ag Expo at the Frederick Fairgrounds.
On Thursday, March 27, all of the school’s fifth graders will visit 12 hands-on stations at the Expo, designed to teach agriculture and environmental science lessons. A smaller group will present a program on pollination that they learned through their “Best of Bugs” unit. “This opportunity will allow students to further their knowledge of the FCPS life science and environmental science curriculum and continue our partnership with The Great Frederick Fair,” says Getzandanner.
“I am proud to have dedicated staff who value real-life learning experiences for students. The Ag Expo is a one-of-a-kind experience that represents project-based learning at its finest,” says Principal Deborah Thackston. “Our students have spent the winter months of their afterschool extended-learning STEM sessions exploring curriculum through the Engineering Is Elementary unit entitled “The Best of Bugs” with enrichment teacher Regina Farnsworth. As experts, this group of students will participate in the Expo as presenters and attendees.”
Many local businesses and organizations have also volunteered time and expertise to enhance the experience for students. Supporting the hands-on learning stations are Catoctin Mountain Orchards, Edible Landscaping with a Permaculture Twist author Michael Judd, Flower Fashions of Frederick, the Frederick County Beekeeping Association, The Great Frederick Fair, Home Depot on Buckeystown Pike, Hood College, Lucas Village Community Garden, Master Gardeners of Frederick County and Seed of Life Nurseries.
The Community Foundation of Frederick County accepts tax-deductible donations for the Gifts for Education fund and has distributed over $120,000 in more than 200 grants since the endowments were launched in 1998. Anyone wishing to donate may call 301-696-6805. The next round of grants is in September 2014. Schools wishing to apply may contact Deb.Huffman@fcps.org.
The below appeared in the Frederick News Post on March 28, 2014.
