This event was a sweet success for Ms. Wright’s Forestry Class
VIDEO: Check out the Mobile Sugar Shack!
From GVCS, pictured are students “tapping” a maple tree
The Maple Production Class at Genesee Valley Central School (GVCS) just scored a “sweet” victory, taking second place in the New York Ag in the Classroom Schoolyard Sugaring Maple Syrup Contest. Their syrup was judged on density, taste, color, and clarity. Facing competition from over 40 schools across NYS, the class took home the second place prize of $100.
The annual contest aims to foster appreciation and perspective about the maple industry and raise student awareness and understanding of New York State’s food and fiber systems.
For the students at GVCS, it was a hands-on learning adventure that went beyond just making syrup. They dove into producing a variety of maple products including maple fudge, maple-coated nuts, maple granulated sugar, and even maple lemonade.
Back in the fall, Ms. Carolyn Wright’s Forestry class got things started by identifying maple trees in a forest adjacent to the school. In the spring, the Maple Production class tapped the trees, collected sap, and boiled it down. The school’s Building Science class supported the project by designing and building a mobile maple sugar shack. This innovative shack has all the gear for syrup-making as well as an observation deck, giving students a front-row seat to the syrup production process.
This year, the class tapped 24 trees. Next year, they’re aiming to increase sap volume and set up a gravity feed system for sap collection.
“I’m really proud of our students,” commented Ms. Wright. “This year was the start of our maple sugaring program. The class faced lots of challenges along the way, but they persevered, put in the hard work, and were rewarded for their efforts.”
