SDSU Extension Service Will Host Kids' Program During Black Hills Stock Show

BROOKINGS, S.D. - SDSU Extension and South Dakota Ag in the Classroom will host a "Kids Take Stock in Science and Agriculture" program at the Black Hills Stock Show. This program received the National Teamwork Award from the National Association of Extension 4-H Agents, and it promises to come back even better this year.

The program is two-fold; the first part is primarily scheduled for schools. Interested classes can attend the program from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. MST Jan. 31-Feb. 1. The second part is geared toward walk-through traffic, and parents can bring their kids through the event from 2-5 p.m. both days. Kids Take 'Stock' takes place in the Rodeo Zone at the Rapid City Civic Center.

The event is done in conjunction with SDSU Extension and South Dakota Ag in the Classroom. Both organizations bring hands-on learning opportunities to youth who may not be familiar with South Dakota's largest industry - agriculture.

"This program is designed to teach youth about both science and agriculture - two areas that are everywhere in the state, but sometimes are far too intangible to youth," said Jessica Eikmeier, a co-coordinator of the event and an Extension Community Development Field Specialist.

She adds: 

"The program is geared towards elementary-aged kids from schools as well as home-schoolers, and we hope to bring these hands-on activities to students who might not get the experiences otherwise," Eikmeier said. "We take what they have learned in the classroom and build on it and put a new twist on it so that they can see it in a different light."

Attendees will have the opportunity to see a balance of agricultural and science-based stations. Each station will take 8-10 minutes and will range in topics from egg experiments to water quality to branding. Teachers will receive a packet of lesson plans to take back to their classrooms to further build on what the youth see in the short stations.

For more information about the program or to sign up for a walk-through time, call Jessica Eikmeier at 605.455.1299 or email her at Jessica.eikmeier@sdstate.edu. You can also contact Ann Price, Executive Director of SD Ag in the Classroom at sdagclassroom@yahoo.com.