Julien St-Jean
Shawville Sept. 3, 2021
The Friday of the Fair brought in students from across the Pontiac to show them what the grounds had to offer.
Students were shown different exhibits and received demonstrations related to agriculture in the Pontiac.
“It’s a way to show them that there’s more to the Fair than the midway,” said Director Beth Knox Campbell. “It’s just our way of promoting something we love. And maybe plant some seeds in their mind that it’s something they’ll like.”
She explained that in past years, they’ve seen as many as 500 students during Friday’s school hours.
“The question these kids ask is amazing. It’s very educational for them,” said Jean Coles, a volunteer helping students from Dr. S.E. McDowell Elementary School. “Some kids, other than farm children, wouldn’t have any knowledge of how these things work.”
According to Erica Ash, a teacher at Dr. S.E. McDowell Elementary School, the trip served as a useful educational experience, where kids took an active interest in what they were being taught. She joked that the kids were tricking themselves into learning.
At one exhibit, Ralph Lang — owner of RM Lang Farms — showed kids how a combine works, taught them how corn is harvested and told them about about the many different products corn is used in.
“I think it’s great to teach them what goes on locally and what the end goal is,” said Lang. “There’s thousands of uses that people don’t realize.”
Ash spoke of the benefits of getting outside of the classroom and how having a field trip brought a sense of relief after being “on guard” for much of the last two years. Between the high engagement with lessons and the fun of getting out of the classroom, she explained a trip to the Fair was a nice way to start off the school year.
“We’ve been missing field trips for 18 months,” said Ash. “I see a sense of relief. This reinforces the need to get away from a screen and getting them outside to learn.”
She noted that the kids were smiling behind their masks.
“I hope it spurs some interest in something outside of their comfort zone,” said Ash. “I hope it gets them thinking about their future.”
