Banner Students Learn 'Ins & Outs' About Livestock

Third and fourth graders from area schools were invited to participate in the Nebraska Extension Animals Inside and Out Program held at Morrill County Fairgrounds in Bridgeport on May 15th. Ninety-one youth from schools in the Southern Panhandle, including Banner County (4th and 5th), Bridgeport (4th), Creek Valley (4th) and Garden County (4th) attended the day long program to learn more about livestock.

The program, Animals Inside & Out, is a hands-on lesson series designed for 3rd – 5th grade youth. The curriculum focuses on domesticated livestock, namely beef, sheep, goats, swine, and poultry. Students walk away with a greater understanding of an animal’s composition, needs, and the important role they play in society by providing us with companionship, milk, meat, fiber, and by-products. Through their exploration, youth also uncover the wide range of careers available in the area of animal science.

Throughout the day, youth moved through nine different stations, each with their own fun activity taught by Extension staff from all over the Panhandle. The Animals station allowed youth to see a cow, horse, goats, bucket calves and newly hatched chicks. The Digestive station was geared towards nutrition and youth made a healthy ration for livestock. The Muscular station used a pineapple to show the muscular system. The Cardiovascular and Reproductive stations allowed youth to learn about organs up-close. The Management station focused on taking care of animals with injections and the different types needed for different medications/vaccinations. The Skeletal station demonstrated the structure of joints with some very simple materials including seeing some real bones. The Careers Station allowed youth to explore a variety of animal related careers. Finally, the day wrapped up with a game of animal by-product bingo.

We were excited to bring this program to our area and hope to make it an every-other year event for 4th and 5th graders to take part in as we continue to strive to educate our youth on an important part of Nebraska’s heritage while helping to grow a generation of informed consumers.