Representatives from three independent and parochial schools in Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi were on campus yesterday to tour JA’s STEM program. Educators learned how JA uses innovative Pitsco products in labs and classrooms. JA Headmaster Pat Taylor and Middle School Dean Matt Morgan presented to the group in the PAC, then tours of the Lower School and Middle School labs were given. JA faculty shared how they have structured the curriculum and how JA has implemented the program to make STEM labs exciting and engaging for JA students. Two representatives from Pitsco Education accompanied the visiting educators during the daylong program.

What do a rooster crowing, bartering, lack of sleep, a mouse, and joy in the midst of hardship have in common? All are part of the Heifer Village experience. In March, sixth graders spent a night in this experiential learning setting designed to increase awareness of how hunger and poverty affect people. Student Priya Ray says she will cherish the memory forever.

Heifer Village in Perryville, Ark., reenacts the challenges of living in areas of the world where Heifer International sends aid. “My friends and I learned so many things. We learned about how hard it is to live in poverty and how to survive. We also learned how to live without all our gadgets that we have today,” said Priya. “Heifer teaches us how to live with just a few resources—without cars, phones, a nice kitchen, and other technology. It teaches us to be more thankful…”

Seven Matches, Oil, and a Paring Knife

Shortly after providing orientation, Heifer Village staff randomly assigns students, faculty, and chaperones to a village in a poverty-stricken area of the world where they “live” for nearly 24 hours. Each village is given limited supplies and instructions for setting up camp, building fires, and making a meal. For example, one group of 14 was given a plastic tub filled with a pot, seven matches, a container of oil, and a paring knife. They then had to barter for wood to build a fire and acquire food by bartering, offering to work for food, or even stealing.

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What do a rooster crowing, bartering, gathering sticks, lack of sleep, a mouse, and joy in the midst of hardship have in common? All are part of the story of the Heifer Village experience. On March 30, sixth graders, faculty, and chaperones spent a night in an experiential learning setting designed to increase awareness of how hunger and poverty affect people. Heifer Village in Perryville, Arkansas reenacts the challenges of living in areas of the world where Heifer International sends aid.

Heifer International was established 70 years ago on the “teach a man to fish” philosophy that works to end world hunger and poverty by helping families achieve self-reliance. Through donations, the organization creates a sustainable source of income and nutrition by providing a family a cow, goat, chickens, or other animal.

Shortly after providing orientation, Heifer Village staff randomly assigned students and chaperones to a village in a poverty-stricken area of the world where they “lived” for nearly 24 hours. Some students were randomly assigned an “injury,” “blindness,” or “pregnancy” to illustrate how those things can affect daily life in a village. Each village was given limited supplies and instructions for setting up camp, building fires, and making a meal. Adults were assigned to be either “elderly” or a “two-year old” so that students could take the lead. One group of 14 was given a plastic tub filled with a pot, seven matches, a container of oil, and a paring knife. They then had to barter for wood to build a fire and acquire food by bartering, offering to work for food, or even stealing.

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