For decades, Blandy Experimental Farm has served as a summer hub for young environmental enthusiasts in the northern Shenandoah Valley. This University of Virginia research facility spans 700 acres and offers unique hands-on learning opportunities for children.
This summer, the Wild Things program allowed elementary students to explore nature through engaging activities like crafts and games. Meanwhile, the EcoExplorers day camp provided rising middle school students with the chance to engage in independent ecology and environmental science projects.
Hands-On Learning at EcoExplorers
“They’re discovering new information they are excited about,” said Ariel Firebaugh, Blandy’s director of scientific engagement.
The EcoExplorers camp concluded on June 26 with a research forum where participants showcased their projects through posters, sharing their findings with their families, friends, and the Blandy community.
Innovative Research Projects
One group of students conducted a study on tree swallows, observing their presence across different habitats, including woodlands, wetlands, and fields. Another group examined the prevalence of prickly pear cacti and sedum plants amidst limestone rock outcrops near Lake Georgette.
Guidance from Experienced Educators
Stefany Feldbusch, an environmental educator at Blandy, is credited by Firebaugh as “the real camp mastermind,” and she is responsible for designing the camp activities. Undergraduate researchers working at Blandy during the summer also participate as guest presenters in both programs.
“We want campers to see what it might look like to be an undergraduate ecology or environmental science student, and we want the undergraduates to get that practice talking about their research in front of kids,” Firebaugh explained. To facilitate this, Blandy offers a science communication workshop for undergraduates, who then create camp activities based on their research.
Broadening Perceptions of Science
A central aim of the program is to broaden the campers’ understanding of science beyond the typical image of a lab scientist. By asking campers to draw scientists before and after the camp, organizers assess whether their views have evolved.
“Often we’ll find that the campers are drawing someone that looks a lot like one of the undergraduate scientists they meet here at Blandy,” Firebaugh noted.
Undergraduate Contributions
This summer, two undergraduates from UVA focused on plant growth, teaching elementary campers to examine the leaves, stems, and roots of black-eyed pea plants. Another group studied the impact of human activity on insects. Middle school campers assisted by measuring the wings of moths collected from areas with varying levels of light pollution and documented their findings.
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