Aggie Days Teacher Info

AGGIE DAYS - A FREE EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE FOR SCHOOL CHILDREN.

WHEN: Wednesday, April 18- Friday, April 20, 2012

HOURS: 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

WHERE: BMO Centre - Stampede Park

The Calgary Stampede's Agriculture Education Committee extends an invitation to elementary teachers and their students to attend Aggie Days . Aggie Days is an excellent opportunity for students, grade 1 through grade 6, to learn more about Alberta's agricultural industry. There is no charge to participate in this program.

NOTE: To maximize a safe and quality presentation, pre-registration is required and grade specific days have been designated. This will accommodate a better opportunity to present material that meets divisional designated curriculum.

PLEASE NOTE THE GRADE SPECIFIC DAYS AS FOLLOWS:

Wednesday, April 18, 2012 - Grades 1, 2, & 3 (Registrations closed for Wednesday)

Thursday, April 19, 2012 - Grades 4, 5, & 6 (Registrations closed for Thursday)

Friday, April 20, 2012 - Grades 1, 2 & 3 (Registrations closed for Friday)

Agriculture is Canada's leading industry, employing one third of our work force. It is important for students to find out what is happening "out on the farm" and how agriculture impacts our daily lives. The displays and interactive activities, hosted by the Agriculture Education Committee, industry organizations and volunteers, are designed to help your students learn more about Alberta's agricultural and historical legacy. It's a day of displays and 'hands on" interactive activities. Some of the curriculum related learning centers include:

COW MILKING, FLOUR MILLING, EGG PRODUCTION, GRAIN FARMING, SHEEP SHEARING, EQUINE PRESENTATIONS, SUSTAINABILITY, AG HISTORY, BLACKSMITHING, BEEF CATTLE, SECONDARY EDUCATION, ROPE MAKING, CROP SCIENCE, WATER CONSERVATION, POULTRY PRODUCTION, PLANT NUTRIENTS.

We encourage you to bring your class down for a full day. Aggie Days exhibits will be closed every day between 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. During this time all classes in attendance will be offered a rodeo presentation in the Stampede Corral. Students staying all day should bring a bag lunch to eat at noon in the Corral. There will be a concession open in the Corral during the lunch hour.

We are very proud of this award winning program and hope your students are able to come and learn about the world of agriculture.

2012 ART CONTEST Guidelines & Application

Congratulations to the winners of the Aggie Days Art Showcase for the special needs community! These pieces are also on display at Aggie Days in the back of Hall A.

Winners are:
Brenda Wright
Andrew McDonald
Jonah Teunissen
Jeffrey Lee
Edward Chaundhary

If you have ever had any questions about where your food comes from or what life on a farm is like, FARMER DAVE is here to help! FARMER DAVE is out in his fields farming right now. Please check back soon to find out how you can ask him your farm questions.

seed survivor

Agrium has created the Seed Survivor exhibit for children. This interactive display is based on the Alberta science curriculum with a focus from grades 1 through 6. If you have seen it, you will know it is a very popular exhibit during Aggie Days! It features multi-media and virtual reality games, an insect video scope, a sunflower seed planting station, a watershed center, talking walls and much more.

Seed Survivor was designed to teach youth that plants need water, light, healthy soil, and nutrients to survive. It also teaches them that plants are essential for human survival by producing food, income, oxygen and enjoyment for us all.

GRAIN ACADEMY TOURS

We would also encourage teachers to book a tour of the Grain Academy as part of your Aggie Days experience. This academy is located on the upper level of the BMO Centre and is an excellent educational presentation providing insight into the past, present and future of Alberta's dynamic grain industry. This experience will provide children with the opportunity to touch, smell, hear and see the fabric of Alberta's grain industry. Tours must be booked in advance by calling 403-263-4594.

Event Dates and Location

Event Dates:: April 18–20, 2012
Early Entry Date:: September 14, 2011 8:30 AM
Entry Closing Date:: February 22, 2012 4:30 AM
Location:: BMO Centre

Confirmation of your requested day will be emailed to you so please be sure to provide an email address. If email is not an option please provide a fax number.

Schedule + View Details

Demonstration Schedule and Floor Layout

General Information + View Details

Buses should unload at the main entrance (south side of building) to the BMO Centre. Stampede volunteers will be available at this entrance to confirm the schools, number of attendees and to assist with disembarking of the buses and provide directional information. Volunteers will also be available to assist with the loading of buses for pick-up. Buses coming for pick-up will be directed to park and will be marshalled to a pick-up area for safer boarding. More information will be distributed at a later date on the bus pick-up procedure.

Buses will be given free parking but cars pay a parking fee of $13.00.

Teacher Tips For Attending Aggie Days

* Have your students circulate around the Aggie Days displays in a sequential order. That way they won't miss anything.

* The stage in the main hall of Aggie Days will have presentations (Sheep Shearing, Stock Dog, Horse, etc.) conducted at frequent intervals throughout the day. Make sure the shorter students are near the front during demonstrations. Our presenters will usually ask the smaller ones to come to the front.

* Formal demonstrations (Beef, and Cow Milking) are conducted at frequent intervals throughout the day.

* Other presentations are conducted continuously, when the exhibitors determine they have a receptive group at their booth. If one presentation is crowded, have your students move on to another and return there later.

* Ask questions and encourage your students to inquire. This can be accomplished through either preparing a questionnaire for the students or asking them to develop a questionnaire keeping in mind the exhibitors that are participating. A listing of the exhibitors will be posted by the middle of February and will be udpated on a regular basis.

* Remind your supervisors/helpers to have the students in their group remain at a presentation booth for the entire presentation. Most of the presentations last only a few minutes.

* Relax, enjoy, and have fun!

PRECAUTIONS

* Please ensure that all Aggie Days visitors know the location of the WASH STANDS so that they may wash their hands after touching the animals. The hand washing stands are centrally located in the center-front and rear area of the Aggie Days exhibition hall. Hand sanitizer dispensers will also be located throughout the exhibition hall.

* Alberta's agriculture means animals, and hay and straw dust. Teachers are asked to be aware of any students with allergic problems well before the date of their Aggie Days visit. These students might be medicated before arival or asked not to attend this excursion.

* It is recommended that each child have a nametag, which also includes the school phone number.

Please Note:
The "Final Attendance form", sent out in the teacher confirmation package, will be collected by the Stampede Volunteer who meets your bus. If you are not arriving via bus, please ensure that your form is delivered to the volunteer greeter or the Information desk located inside the main entrance of the Aggie Days Hall.

Aggie Days Curriculum Correlation - for Alberta Elementary Teachers
Provides some correlations between the Aggie Days program and the Alberta Program of Study for Division I & II.

Committee + View Details

AGRICULTURE EDUCATION COMMITTEE: Jim Jorawsky (Chair), Connie James (VIce Chair), Leigh-Anna Barnes (Vice Chair), Jackie Engstrom (Board Member Liaison), Robert Wise (Agriculture Manager), Kelly Chambers (Program Coordinator), Bill Batycky, John Bednarik, John Campbell, Joan Cool, Ray Courtman, Lianne Enderton, Kendra Gale, Dave Gosling, Art Griffith, Ryan Hodgson, Trudy Holte, Mike Isakeit, Mike James, Tanya Jorgensen-Bell, Brenda Knight, Joan Kollewyn, Dave Lantz, Debbie Lee, Heather MacKay, Grant Northcott, Ken Pigeon, Brenda Ralston, Shannon Richardson, Dean Ringstad, Donna Seamans, Allan Snider.

Stampede Agriculture