Garden County Schools Science & Agriculture

Here is the link to the 2021 Science Fair Video Playlist.  If you didn't get a chance to visit our students at the science fair, you can check out their projects here. Science Fair 2021 Playlist Some candid moments from the fair.

 Our classroom is once again participating in the Trout in the Classroom program sponsored by the Nebraska Game and Parks.  Our tank is provided by a Nebraska Environmental Trust grant. We set up our fifty-gallon tank the second week in November.  The tank has to cycle for six to eight weeks to set up a colony of bacteria to complete the nitrification process in the tank.  The eggs arrived the second week of January and are now feeding and swimming throughout our tank.  This has offered our students many learning opportunities as demonstrated by the article below. Eight weeks prior to the trout actually arriving we had to treat the water and test the levels of ammonia, nitrate, nitrite, pH, and high pH.  Before even putting the water in the tank we had to rinse it and clean the rocks that were in it. This was to make sure that water was suitable for the fish to actually live in and that there wasn't any bacteria or harmful chemical that would hurt the trout. Then we had to test th

  Science Fair Article 2021 On February 10, 2021, the Garden County Junior High Students hosted the annual Science Fair.  The students all tested a hypothesis of their choice and supported a claim based on evidence and reasoning.  The students tested a variety of topics such as: what pigments are found in the different colors of leaves, how well tarantulas see, if dogs behave differently when exposed to different types of music, and if cricket sing differently in light and dark.  The students were judged on their science communication skills.  All the students created videos of their projects that will be featured on our classroom blog at https://gcsciag.blogspot.com/ early next week.  The winners are as follows: Eighth Grade First Place: Abilene Miller.  Abilene tested to see how much styrofoam mealworms will actually eat.   Second Place: Eldon Lambert. Eldon was curious if the color of our foods would influence how food tastes. Third Place: Olivia Christiansen. Olivia wanted to know

 As we are preparing for the science fair on February 10, 2021, from 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm, students are preparing presentations and posters. For the family and friends that want to come but can't, there will be virtual presentations that can be found on the classroom blog. Each student tested a measurable question. When completed, students had to come up with a claim and support it with evidence and reasoning. By Ridglyn Stanczyk Science Fair Parent Invitation Letter

The Garden County FFA chapter was lucky enough to be able to attend the latest Career Development Event in Gordon.  After lots of hard work and adjustments due to COVID19, students from across the Panhandle were able to participate in an in-person event.  Garden County FFA had prepared for weeks leading up to the competition in Gordon.  Members of the chapter completed in Agriculture Technology and Mechanics, Farm and Agribusiness Management, Food Science, and Veterinarian Science.  Members of the Agriculture Technology & Mechanics Team included Carter Dorman (electrical), Gavin Hunt (hydraulics), Gunner Roberson, (small engines), and Zeke Christansen (equipment).  The Farm & Agribusiness Management Team consisted of Kaylee Leach, Taylor Fornander, Oakley Larsen, and Kyle Rote.  Trey Kirch, Jenason Spady, Nickolas Alworth, and Jordon Underwood competed in the food science category with Jenason receiving a third-place purple ribbon and Trey a red ribbon. The Veterinarian Science

On January 13 the Garden County FFA Chapter competed in Agriculture Sales, Floriculture, Livestock Management, and Welding Events virtually.   Floriculture Team:  Kaylee Leach, Emily Levick, Taylor Fornander, Maddie Lake, and Tarah Ross Tarah Ross received a white ribbon in Floriculture. Livestock Management Team: Kyle Rote, Wyland Lobner, Kamry Kramer, Madie Rauch, Joselin Marquez Placed eight as a team and received a white ribbon in Poultry Management Ag Sales Team: Oakley Larsen, Jenason Spady, Zeke Christiansen, and Jordon Underwood The team placed fifth with Zeke receiving a red ribbon and Jenason receiving a white ribbon. The Welding Team: Carter Dormann (MIG), Kenzee Moffat (ARC), Wade Dodge (TIG), and Gunner Roberson (OFW) Overall the team received a red ribbon, Carter a red ribbon in MIG, Kenzee a with ribbon in ARC, Wade a red ribbon in TIG, a Gunner a white ribbon in OFW

  Garden County FFA chapter members competed in the District Leadership Development event on December 9, 2020.  Usually hosted at Chadron State College, the District Leadership Conference is a series of events aimed at teaching FFA members leadership, decision-making, and critical thinking skills.  Due to COVID-19, this year’s district competition was held virtually.  Members of the chapter put in a lot of work to prepare for the District Leadership Competition and adapted to the change of location well. In natural resource speaking, member Kaylee Leach received a red ribbon.  Participating in junior public speaking, Taylor Fornander earned a red ribbon.   The plant science agriculture demonstration team consisting of Jordon Underwood, Josie Marquez, and Wade Dodge also received a red ribbon.  Freshmen Oakley Larson earned a white ribbon in job employment skills and Morgan Ross in extemporaneous speaking.  Competing in Parliamentary Procedures, members Jena Spady, Tarah Ross, Kelsee Mo