Hosting Organization: Alexandria Township School
County: Hunterdon
On the afternoon of Thursday, March 20th, 5th – 8th grade students gathered together with their Kindergarten through 4th grade buddies and walked together to their first maker adventure. Upon entering the cafeteria, the sweet smell of fresh baked sugar cookies from Chocolate in the Oven, a local bakery, filled the air as students worked together to coat the dinosaur shaped treats with icing and sprinkles. Just next door, the gym was a whir of motion; students stood around a table, vigorously shaking small mason jars, while the farmers from Spring Run Dairy Farm & Creamery described the process by which butter is made. Other students created their own large button pin, while the rest of them visited with a local archeologist and anthropologist, who shared fossils, demonstrated how to crack geodes, and discussed the making of arrowheads.
Students were able to take home sewing and craft projects, including custom made sunglasses or a fingerprint pal magnet, as well as a Lego set to build their own animal. New Jersey State Troopers provided a demonstration with their k-9 unit, showing off the marvelous skills of their four legged friend. Several groups of students worked together to create a mural out of natural materials, guided by a local artist. Outside, the adventures continued with a local farrier, a welder, and a woodworker, showing off their tools and skills while students looked on in amazement.
As the day came to a close, students paraded down the halls to their buses and pick up locations, each with a bag full of the day’s treasures. Smiling proudly, one 5th grade student proclaimed “this was more fun than jumping on a trampoline in the rain” as he finished his air dry clay dinosaur model.