SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Local elementary educators got their hands dirty while learning strategies for teaching about plants and soils during a recent two-day Summer Horticulture Institute hosted by University of Illinois Extension and Lincoln Land Community College’s Agriculture program. 

“You can’t learn about plants and soils without making messes,” according to LLCC Agronomy Professor Bill Harmon. While in Harmon’s favorite room in LLCC’s Kreher Agriculture Center, the plants and soils lab, attendees learned about soil composition and erosion through hands-on activities that they can replicate in their classrooms. They felt the differences in the texture of soils with higher sand, higher silt, and higher clay content. By filling bottles with soil and water, followed by vigorous shaking, participants saw the sedimentation of components found in different soil samples.

Other lessons covered the parts of a plant, types of plants, growing plants, trees, insects and an interactive demonstration of how drones are used in agriculture. The expert presenters, including LLCC Professor Bill Harmon, LLCC Instructor Liz Conrady and Illinois Extension Educator Jennifer Fishburn, also allowed ample time for attendees to ask questions and have open discussions about the practical uses of these lessons in their classrooms. 

“We want to empower teachers to incorporate more science activities into their classrooms,” said Fishburn. “If they feel more comfortable with their own understanding of plant sciences, and if they have hands-on experiences with the lessons, they will be able to teach these important science concepts in a fun and engaging way.”

By participating in this two-day institute, teachers earned professional development hours, which are required for maintaining their teaching credentials. Most funding was provided by the LLCC Kreher Agriculture Trust, with teachers paying a minimal amount to attend. 

The institute was developed through a collaboration between Illinois Extension and LLCC’s Agriculture program, which both strive to share knowledge with learners of all ages. LLCC Agriculture prepares students for careers in agriculture and/or university transfer through degrees and certificates in agriculture, agribusiness, precision agronomy/custom application, and horticulture and cultivation.

Plans are underway to hold a Summer Horticulture Institute again next summer. Contact Jennifer Fishburn at fishburn@illinois.edu for more information. Learn more about other Illinois Extension programs in Logan, Menard and Sangamon counties at https://extension.illinois.edu/lms.