Want to Get Your Hands Dirty? Using Active Learning to Promote Sustainable Agriculture.

Active learning experiences for K-12 students are incorporated into several events and programs by faculty and students in the LSU School of Plant, Environmental, and Soil Sciences.   AgMagic is a week-long educational event open to school tours and, on weekends, to the general public.  Typically over 5000 people view the exhibits.   All aspects of agriculture are represented with hands-on exhibits on topics from aquaculture to entomology to plant and soil science. The plants section includes turf samples, a display of Louisiana soils and samples of Louisiana agronomic and horticultural crops.  In a 2008 survey, a majority of teachers that toured AgMagic reported that their students had a better understanding of the importance and diversification of Louisiana agriculture after attending the event.   The Spring Garden Show is an annual event at which vendors display plants and garden supplies and experts give presentations and answer questions. Typical attendance ranges from 2000-4000 people during the two-day show. Hands-on activities for children provide entertainment as well as information.  This year an interactive exhibit was developed and staffed by student in the College of Agriculture to educate children and adults about the benefits of composting for waste management and garden health.  Teacher education has also been used to reach K-12 students.  Gardening activities have been used in professional development summer workshops to encourage 3^rd and 4^th-grade teachers to expand their science lessons to include active learning.  Dissection of common foods such as beans and artichokes provide lessons in plant anatomy, while discussion of nutritional values encourages health eating. Teachers have become more confident in their understanding of science and more enthusiastic about conducting hands-on lessons and developing school gardens.