The Millstone Times July 2018

CAMP & KIDS

PARTIES STARTING at $224. 99 ($274.99 Fri-Sun) when you mention coupon code “RULE46” Millstone 6 t h Graders Visit Historic Baird Homestead &Cultural Resource Center By Pam Teel The students at the Middle school didn’t have to venture far as they marched from their school across the street to the Historic Baird Homestead. Hosted by the Friends of Millstone Township Historic Registered Properties for a 3rd year straight, the children got to partake in hands on activities that correlated with their history and science curriculum. There were six different stations set up as the students broke into groups and visited them all throughout the day. The first three stations fell under the history category. Station one began with a guided tour of the historic 1800’s house where the children learned about historic events and about objects that were in the house and how they were used in the day. The children then got to go outside on the grounds and press their own apple drinks. The second station was the blacksmith’s shop. The students learned that the blacksmith made everything people needed in those days from household items to farm equipment. The students got to try out some tools, help light up the forge, and watched as local blacksmith, Kevin Brown, bended and shaped pieces of metal. At the third station, the children learned about the job of a milkmaid back in the 1800’s. They learned how the cow gives milk, how the milk gets turned into butter, when the process of pasteurizing milk came to be, how canned milk came about and how the milkmaid sold butter and eggs on the side for extra money. The children got to sample some of the churned butter on a cracker. Stations four, five and six fell under the science category. Station four involved the planting station in the greenhouse where the 6th graders learned about plants needs, how to care for plants, and how to cook with plants. They each got to pot and take home an eggplant and basil plant. Also under the science category was station four, the pond study. With seining nets and cups in hand, the children got to take a water sample from the pond and test the water’s PH and nitrate levels. They then went into the microscope tent and looked for plant life in the pond water. There were also sample slides to view. Station five was the animal station where the children learned about animal husbandry and how an animal’s digestive system worked. They compared a human digestive system to that of an animal to correlate with the lesson they studied in school. The kids also got to pet the goats and rabbit and ask questions about them. Both teachers and students look forward to visiting the Homestead and learning about the past and the kids love the fact that they are able to participate in hands on activities relating to what they are learning in school. They also got to eat their lunches on the picnic tables under the shade of the large trees on the front lawn. The Baird Homestead and Educational Center is all about bringing history into the residence’s lives. Visit their library at the Homestead at 24 Baird Road, where you can find old maps of the township that date back to the 1700’s, learn where boundaries once were, where stills were set up, and more. (By appointment only) For more info, visit the friends of Millstone website at: www.mtfriendsofhistory.org

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