Students engage in hands-on learning at ACC

About 95 students from Crocus Plains Regional Secondary School experienced a day of hands-on learning in horticulture, environmental sciences and agriculture during Assiniboine Community College’s North Hill campus Field Day on Thursday.

Working in groups, the students rotated through four stations, led by Assiniboine faculty and students from the agribusiness, land and water management and horticultural production programs.

Spending time outdoors and inside Assiniboine’s Sustainable Greenhouse, they got a chance to learn more about integrated pest management in the greenhouse and water sampling and testing at the college’s on-campus creek. They also got their hands dirty at a soil station and identified weeds in the campus weed garden.

Edward School of Agriculture and Environment chair Chris Budiwski said the event, now in its third year, aims to give students a practical taste of the college’s programs and how they integrate with high school science curricula.

“Field days are really about showcasing how you can learn by doing,” Budiwski told the Sun. “Students get out and practically apply some of the skills and knowledge they’d learn here. Whether it’s our environmental, agricultural or horticultural programs, these events are great ways for Grade 10 and 11 students to explore their interests and see where they can go if they decide to come to ACC for post-secondary education.”

This year, he said, the event saw around 70 students participate in the morning session, with another 25 in the afternoon.

“We’d love to see more high schools participate and expand it to multiple days if needed.”

With careers in agriculture in such high demand, Budiwski said, the event will give students some insight into career opportunities they can pursue, and the training offered at the college will give them an advanced skillset to prepare them for these careers.

ACC recruitment manager Erin Lambert said the program helps students decide what they want to pursue after school.

“At a time when many high school students are exploring their future career path, giving them a chance to experience hands-on opportunities in these programs can help a lot,” she said.

Crocus Plains Grade 11 student Avey Demarce shared her enthusiasm about the event.

“It was a good experience and I quite enjoyed learning about the phosphorus levels in the creeks because I didn’t realize how common it was in Brandon,” she told the Sun. “It’s scary to think about how many microorganisms can be in our waters. I also learned that we only have 107 days without frost here and thought that was pretty cool too.”

Demarce is considering a future in wildlife conservation and found the field day particularly beneficial.

“I think the information I learned here today will help, especially the soil reaction,” she said.

Another Grade 11 student, Nathaly Mendoza, said the experience was enriching.

“I think the last session we did with the water stream was cool, learning about it was interesting, and I definitely want to learn more about water treatment plants,” she said. “It’s fascinating to learn about how the phosphoric content in the streams can vary throughout the day.”

Mendoza appreciated the hands-on nature of the field day, adding she liked being outside and working in nature.

“I feel like you can make connections with people when you work with your hands.”

Budiwski said feedback from teachers has been overwhelmingly positive, adding it’s an eye-opener for them to see what the college offers.

“The experience reinforces what they teach in their science classes at Grade 10, 11, and 12 levels, gives students a glimpse of the college experience, and they become more comfortable with the idea of post-secondary education.”

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