Agriculture Literacy Day (2nd grade)
New York celebrates an Agriculture Literacy Day annually in April.  The Rensselaer County Farm Bureau and a team of volunteers do a book reading and deliver school enrichment projects that relate to the chosen book for teachers to use in the classroom.  The school enrichment projects fit directly into the NY Learning Standards.  A different book is selected every year.  For 2008 Sugar Bush Spring by Marsha Wilson Chall was selected.  The program is delivered in classrooms and takes roughly 30 minutes.  At the conclusion of the workshop the book is donated to the respective school’s library.  Contact us for a presentation to be delivered some day in the month of April.  No Charge

Baby Think It Over/Empathy Belly (grades 9 to 12)
The Baby Think it Over Program provides students with a realistic parenting simulation.  Students are required to provide parenting to a realistic baby model.  The baby simulator then provides feedback on rough handling, neglect and total minutes of crying.  The Empathy Belly Pregnancy Simulator allows students to experience twenty typical symptoms of pregnancy.  $50 Damage Deposit

Chemistry Magic (grades K to 6)
Don’t be fooled by the title, this is not an entertainment show, but is a motivating and creative means for introducing students to the Science of Chemistry.  This program is sure to wow students with the wide range of simple chemical reactions orchestrated by Bill Town, a retired chemistry teacher and Schaghticoke Fair Chemistry Magic Show founder and presenter.  Much of the Chemistry Magic Program is based on the infamous shows in the Horticulture Building during the Schaghticoke Fair.  There will be limited programs delivered throughout the year due to supply constraints.  For more information contact Bill Town at 753-6198.  $30 speaker fee and pro-rated materials costs in advance

Container Gardening (grades K to 4)
This program is offered annually which includes distribution of plants, soil and a teacher training.  Area growers provide the plants for distribution.  Request for participation in this program comes out in April and the classroom plant distribution and teacher training take place in early May.  This is an opportunity for students to approach learning the plant life cycle in a hands-on way.  No Charge

Incubation and Embryology (grades K to 12)
This is a hands-on approach to presenting the life cycle from fertilization to hatch.  Assistance establishing an incubation setup in the classroom including teaching materials, incubator, egg sources, and technical support are part of this offering.  Examples of classroom activities - “Eggsploring the Egg” and “Building a Home ’Tweet' Home”   Incubator Use Fee $20, Damage Deposit $10, In-depth Training $30

Pet Respect  (grades K to 4th)
Staff will meet with small groups of students on an appointment basis and will talk about the concept of pets and their roles in our homes and society.  More importantly, going over basic safety to prevent harm to students and pet, pet care and relating responsibility to not only the pet but also your neighbors and community.  Touching on the value pets have in therapy for physical and emotional well being will be demonstrated.  Each (series of 6, about 20 minutes each) visit is accompanied by a dog as the model of the pet.  We branch out and talk about different pets based on the classroom interest.  Each student will get an opportunity to work and interact one-on-one with the dog during the session whether it is getting a chance to brush, walk or toss the ball.  $50 Speaker fee for series of 6 sessions.

Reality Check (grades 7 to 12)
Reality Check (RC) is a youth led organization against the tobacco industry.  RC members work together to educate the community about the marketing tactics Big Tobacco uses to target youth.  RC can work best in your school in connection with already existing clubs such as S.A.D.D., Key Club, and Student Government as well as others that have an adult contact within the school.  RC can come into classrooms such as consumer science, current events and health.  NO CHARGE

ReCharge (grades K to 12)
This is a fun-packed interactive program teaching students about nutrition and exercise put forth in terms of “Energy In (It’s what you eat) and Energy Out (It’s what you do).” The program, developed by the NFL and Action for Healthy Kids, includes a kit with 29 activities, footballs, cones, an instructional DVD, food models and NFL ReCharge Cards.  Appropriate for any after school, health or physical education classroom.  $30 speaker/training fee (including kit)

TeamWork TeamPlay  (grades 5 to 12)
Teamwork is the concept of people working together cooperatively.  Through the use of Raccoon Circles, puzzles, and challenges, students will develop skills that will work in real-life situations.  Emphasis will be placed on learning how to work in teams to accomplish a goal while having fun at the same time.  Students will discover how to listen, question, persuade, help, share, and participate as part of a successful, efficient team.  $30 Speaker Fee