Our Mobile Science Labs deliver lessons that introduce modern agriculture with positive messages that farmers care for people, animals, and the planet. Elementary students who have positive exposure to agriculture through the mobile labs develop a better understanding of their relationship to food and food production, and the responsibility that farmers accept in stewarding our natural resources while producing food, feed, fiber, and fuel.
Positive interactions with food, farming and education can guide students to be more curious and active learners and ultimately more informed and well-rounded adults. Today’s students are the consumers, voters, and workforce of tomorrow. Exposing them, at a young age, to the variety of opportunities within agriculture will enable them to make informed decisions about careers and career readiness and consider agriculture as a career.
To keep these programs accessible to all schools, about 60% of the expenses are underwritten by Ag Tag revenues, supplemented by grants from partner organizations. Still, our weekly operational cost of a Mobile Lab is about $4500.
Here’s where we’re hoping you come in. We’ve got big plans at MAEF this year, with new programs on tap and the construction of a new mobile Showcase.
With an average school enrollment of 350 students, the cost per student lab visit comes to $12.85. Could you help us by sponsoring a student? Or ten? Possibly a classroom?