In the fall, we take Kent County Schools 4th graders to Eastern Neck Wildlife Refuge to teach about soils. Hands-on experience teaches the value of soil. Observation teaches about the different textures. Boring holes into the ground the soil layers come to life. Replicas of the soil layers are created with candy.
In the spring the same students go to Turners Creek for a lesson about agricultural soil conservation. Students learn about best management practices such as grassed waterways, cover crops, grass plantings, rock drops, and diversions.
Kent County’s students learn about different animals that can be pollinators beyond just bees, including butterflies, bats, birds, and even flies. We play a game to simulate how the native mason bee pollinates. Then we plant their own pollinator flowers to watch grow in the classroom.