Author: Lorilee Kunze
Planning Unit: Bullitt County CES
Major Program: Natural Resources
Plan of Work: Natural Resources and the Environment
Outcome: Intermediate Outcome
The Bullitt Advanced Math and Science (BAMS) Program seeks to help the gifted students of Bullitt County reach their full potential through inquiry experiences, a rigorous and relevant curriculum, and educational outreach. The Bullitt County Horticulture Program has collaborated with BAMS for many years helping them to gather data about the soil in Bernheim Forest and Arboretum. Previously, Extension mentors helped students to understand the soil sampling process, testing process and analysis of the soil. The results of these tests were then used to make sound, sustainable recommendations to Bernheim for renovation and remediation of the sites. This is our second year partnering with the Bullitt Central High School Advanced Math and Science Program as group mentors. By collaborating with professionals in horticulture at Bernheim Forest, this year the Bullitt County Extension service Horticulture Program has assisted in mentoring youths with their annual research project on evaluating transectional habitat in the Big Meadow. We worked with youth on collecting data, researching habitat and evaluating ecosystems in the Bernheim Forest Arboretum and helped them to research and plan ways to reinvigorate or remediate areas in the Forest and make recommendations back to Bernheim on how to accomplish their recommended goals. As a partner, Extension processed soil samples, advised on beekeeping, and made recommendations on agricultural and horticultural best practices. We provided valuable feedback on research and gave direction to the group on how to identify species, how to find resources of accurate data and provided feedback on improving their speech and presentation skills. This year's group reported that they were grateful for our mentorship and would have been lost without it. The program director brought two groups to the Extension to present their findings to us as a thank you for all of our assistance and noted that the partnership was key to the youth involved in the BAMS project, and that the kids gained so much more out of the program because of our involvement.
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