Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture
Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences
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Junior high students delve into agricultural, food and life sciences
Students from 10 north-central Arkansas junior high schools probed the structure of DNA, built batteries from potatoes and tested the chemical foundations of foods with Bumpers College faculty, staff and students. The Prospective Student Relations Committee sponsored the Bumpers College Science Day program "Exploring Your World Through Science" April 9 at North Arkansas College in Harrison. Diana Bisbee, coordinator of off-campus education, said the outreach program was aimed at building interest in Bumpers College majors for ninth grade students. Bumpers College faculty members, graduate students and staff introduced the students to various areas of science important to agricultural, food and life sciences. The students were led through hands-on activities that delved into such diverse topics as Kirchoff's voltage laws, the language of DNA, the difference between bacterial and fungal diseases in plants, textiles used in the space vehicles and clothing, plant breeding and other sciences. Gary Davis, student recruiter for poultry science and a member of the PSRC, said the outreach was also for the junior high school science teachers. "Science teachers often don't know the science involved in agricultural and related areas," Davis said. "We need to continually tell the story to get the students and to inform and involve the science teachers." Bisbee said the PSRC hopes to expand the outreach to other areas of the state. A follow-up for students interested in what Bumpers College has to offer will be to bring them to campus during their junior or senior year in high school.
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