14th annual Agripalooza encourages learning about conservation, natural resources, agriculture

Upper Peninsula Students Learn About the World Around Them at Agripalooza

CHATHAM, Mich. (WLUC) – On Friday, Upper Peninsula students got the opportunity to expand their knowledge about the world around them through the 14th annual Agripalooza event held at the Michigan State University Upper Peninsula Research and Extension Center. The event aimed to educate 350 fifth graders from Marquette and Alger counties about conservation, agriculture, and natural resources.

Stations Focused on Sustainable Development Goals

The Agripalooza event featured more than 30 stations, each highlighting different aspects of sustainable development. These stations were organized by various organizations including the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and National Parks Service. The goal was to expose students to different areas of conservation and inspire them to take an interest in at least one of the topics.

Students Engage with Bees and Hydroponics

One of the stations that captured the students’ attention was focused on bees. Sonja Ylkanen, a fifth grader from Father Marquette, expressed her excitement about learning about bees in the Upper Peninsula. She said, “It was just so cool how we saw them, how they work, and how they survive.”

Another station that intrigued the students was hydroponics. Ylkanen shared her fascination, saying, “It’s really cool how they don’t use soil when they’re inside.”

Encouraging Outdoor Learning and Fresh Air

Maddie O’Donnell, the Marquette County Conservation District Manager, emphasized the importance of outdoor learning and fresh air for students. She highlighted that students today spend less time outside compared to previous generations. O’Donnell stated, “We just think it’s great to get some fresh air for them for the day and have them open their eyes to what’s around them.”

Support from Sponsors

O’Donnell expressed her gratitude to the sponsors who made the Agripalooza event possible:

• Pat’s Foods
• UPPCO
• Huron Mountain Bakery
• Marquette Food Co-Op
• Jilbert Dairy
• TruNorth Federal Credit Union
• Chatham Co-Op Store
• Peoples State Bank
• Northern Lights Community Federal Credit Union

Promoting Sustainable Development Goals

Agripalooza is an annual event that aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by educating students about conservation, agriculture, and natural resources. By providing hands-on experiences and exposure to various topics, the event aims to inspire the next generation to contribute to a sustainable future.

Get Involved

To learn more about volunteering for future Agripalooza events, please contact Maddie O’Donnell at madeline.odonnell@macd.org.

Copyright 2024 WLUC. All rights reserved.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis:

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 4: Quality Education
• SDG 15: Life on Land

The article discusses the 14th annual Agripalooza event, where fifth graders learn about conservation, agriculture, and natural resources. This aligns with SDG 4, which aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. Additionally, the event focuses on environmental topics such as bees, hydroponics, and natural resources, which are related to SDG 15, which aims to protect, restore, and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, and halt biodiversity loss.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 4.7: By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development.
• Target 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity, and protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species.

The article highlights the educational aspect of the Agripalooza event, where students learn about conservation, agriculture, and natural resources. This aligns with Target 4.7 of SDG 4, which emphasizes the acquisition of knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development. Additionally, the event focuses on raising awareness about bees, hydroponics, and natural resources, which contributes to Target 15.5 of SDG 15, which aims to take urgent action to reduce degradation of natural habitats and protect threatened species.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator 4.7.1: Extent to which (i) global citizenship education and (ii) education for sustainable development are mainstreamed in (a) national education policies; (b) curricula; (c) teacher education; and (d) student assessment.
• Indicator 15.5.1: Red List Index.

The article does not explicitly mention specific indicators related to the identified targets. However, Indicator 4.7.1 of SDG 4 can be relevant to measure progress towards the target of acquiring knowledge and skills for sustainable development. This indicator assesses the extent to which global citizenship education and education for sustainable development are integrated into national education policies, curricula, teacher education, and student assessment. Additionally, Indicator 15.5.1 of SDG 15, the Red List Index, can be used to measure progress in reducing the degradation of natural habitats and preventing the extinction of threatened species.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: uppermichiganssource.com