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At Last Education students can use in the real world
AIKEN --- Future Farmers of America programs are about more than harvesting and planting, and that has kept them popular in Aiken and Edgefield County high schools.
Area chapters are headed to the Statehouse this week to meet with South Carolina legislators and celebrate National FFA Week and the program that gives teenagers hands-on life experiences.
This year, Midland Valley High School FFA members have made a bedroom suite, bred fish, grown a greenhouse full of plants and learned how to change a light switch. Several past members had landscaping businesses operating by the time they graduated.
"We have state standards that we teach, but we're also in contact with local industries to make sure our students have the skills that are in demand," said Jeremy Brooks, a Midland Valley instructor.
Seniors Chris Bolt, 17; Tyler Hancock, 18; and Caleb Evans, 17; began the program as freshmen and helped Mr. Brooks get an aquaculture, or fish breeding program, off the ground.
Four years later, the boys have taken their knowledge to stock a pond and have people pay them to catch what they've nurtured and grown.
Reach Julia Sellers at (803) 648-1395, ext. 106, or julia.sellers@augustachronicle.com.
HOW TO CHANGE A LIGHT SWITCH
Mr. Brooks uses basic math to illustrate the value of this lesson. You can pay an electrician more than $100 for parts and labor, or pay $3 for a replacement switch and do it yourself.
STEP 1 : Check the breaker box and make sure electricity to the switch source is turned off.
STEP 2: Remove the faceplate. Make sure there are no hot wires by using an electrical tester.
STEP 3: Remove the metal box, or junction box, from the wall. Disconnect the wires from the old switch box and discard the old switch.
STEP 4: If the wires are corroded, trim the wire and use wire strippers to strip insulation for a clean wire.
STEP 5: Connect wires from the new switch to the existing house wires. Remember to follow directions for the new house wire. Most directions tell you to match colors of wires. Ground is usually green; neutral is usually white or has no color. Twist corresponding colored wires together. Cover the open wire with a wire cap, making sure there is no bare wire. Connect neutral wires to the switch.
STEP 6: Put the switch box back in the wall, making sure no bare wires are exposed. Screw box and switch plate into wall. Restore power and flip the switch.
HOW TO RAISE FISH
Midland Valley High uses three tanks to breed fish and give students a hands-on experiment. The water is recycled and used for organic vegetables on site.
STEP 1: Buy small fish. Choose a type, scale or non-scale, to breed.
STEP 2: Monitor the water's pH and temperature levels. Midland Valley's program offers industry-specific tests that take about 45 minutes each day.
STEP 3: Remember to check for parasites or scars. Fish will breed as long as their environment is free of disease.
STEP 4: If a larger fish is desired, switch to a larger tank or pond so the space doesn't become overpopulated.
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