News

by Nash Reid-Bancroft

Dalhousie University’s Faculty of Agriculture welcomed close to 450 Grade 7 students from local schools to campus over three days earlier this month for annual AgZone activities.

AgZone is a partnership between the Faculty of Agriculture and the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture and helps to expand students’ perceptions of agriculture while opening their eyes to career opportunities they might not otherwise have considered.

This special experience gave students a chance to try hands-on science activities and learn about the environment, animals, and food in fun and surprising ways.

Building and Testing at the Banting Building

Students began in Banting Building where they were challenged to build a blueberry separator using simple materials like paper cups, popsicle sticks, and tape. Their goal was to separate large wooden balls ‘blueberries’ from small plastic beads ‘debris’.

There was lots of laughter as students tested their inventions, made changes, and tried again. This activity taught students about machines and how technology can be used in farming.

“AgZone gives us an opportunity to showcase how technology and innovative thinking are shaping the future of agriculture in ways the students may not expect,” explained Instructor Mandi Wilson. “Each year, the Engineering Department presents a new design challenge, and it’s always rewarding to see the creative approaches students bring to real-world problems.”

Looking at Fish Gills in the Aquaculture Centre

Students also visited Haley Institute to learn how fish breathe underwater. Inside the lab, microscopes were set up so students could look at fish gills more closely. They carefully drew what they saw and were surprised at how detailed gills are. Students used a wooden model to label the gills helping them understand how water moves through a fish’s body and how oxygen gets into the blood

Tasting and Thinking in the Student Learning Commons

In the Student Learning Commons students learned about food webs and how foods are marketed to different people. They talked about the environment, health, and how we choose what to eat from things like taste or environmental costs.

Students were then given three snack options: beef jerky, smoked fish, and BBQ crickets but they were not told about the food beforehand. For each one, they learned about where it came from, how much salt and protein it had, and what impact it had on the planet.

From this information students chose a line and got to see which food they were going to try. Some students were nervous to try the crickets, but many were brave and gave them a taste. The room was filled with surprised faces and lots of laughter.

“AgZone gives us a chance to show students how what they’re learning in class, like food webs, connects to real-world challenges,” explained Instructor Ashley MacDonald. “We talk about how agriculture can disrupt ecosystems, but also how informed and sustainable choices can help protect them. It’s more than just a fun day on campus. It’s a chance to spark curiosity and show students that agriculture touches every part of their lives, from what they eat to the careers they might pursue. And of course, finishing with a fun taste test challenge at the end doesn’t hurt.”

A Fun Way to Discover Dalhousie

Students had fun exploring campus and eating at Jenkins Hall.  The event was a great way to show off Dalhousie’s amazing campus and how it supports learning in so many ways. From building machines to looking through microscopes and tasting new foods, AgZone gave these Grade 7 classes a three-day adventure they won’t soon forget.

“AgZone is all about inspiring the next generation to see agriculture as innovative, essential, and exciting,” said Community Education Manager Jessica Fogarty.  “It’s a fun, hands-on day that gets students thinking differently about where their food comes from, and how they can be part of it's future in a sustainable way.”