The College of Agriculture’s Environmental and Natural Resources Initiative (ENRI) and the Tracy Farmer Institute for Sustainability and the Environment (TFISE) partner with the Black Males Working STEM Academy (BMW) to implement life science, engineering, mathematics, physical science and natural resource activities in a project-based learning format to help the young men be college and career ready.
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Market Basket Survey Through this activity the group learned how to comparison shop for groceries. The young men compared a common list of items at a discount grocery, a "natural" food store, and a big name grocery. For many of them this was the first time they had actually shopped in a grocery store. |
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Robinson Forest Several of the young men were able to take a three-day trip to UK's Robinson Forest. Water studies, tree identification, mapping and GPS activities, elk viewing, and other environmental activities were the order of the day. |
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Canoe Kentucky North Elkhorn Creek near Frankfort, Kentucky provided the backdrop for an afternoon of canoeing. The day was warm, the water inviting and a great time was had by all. |
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Salato Wildlife Center A fishing trip to the lake at Salato Wildlife Center in Frankfort, Kentucky took place after a presentation by a repesentative of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. For many young men, this was a first, and some even caught fish! The group also toured the displays of Kentucky wildlife at the center. At a later date, they participated in a lesson on fish anatomy accompanied by a dissection activity. |
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Salsa Garden Project To help show how food gets to the table, the young men planned, constructed and planted raised beds for the vegetables needed to make salsa. They tended the tomatoes, onions, peppers and cilantro all summer, then made and canned salsa from the harvest, and sold it to friends and family. |
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BMW on UK Campus The young men toured UK's campus and visited lab facilities in the colleges of agriculture, arts and sciences and engineering. Hopefully, they will remember this visit when it comes time to apply to college! |
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National MANRRS Career and Training Conference Four BMW youth attended the MANRRS conference held in Atlanta, Georgia. The young men learned about the endless opportunities agriculture offers, while they networked with employers, college representatives and other students. |
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Flight 93 Tree Reforestation Under the guidance of tree-planting experts and professional landscapers, the group planted trees as part of the first stage of the multi-year reforestation effort. These trees are part of the overall design of the Flight 93 National Memorial. During this trip, the group participated in a valuable public service event, while building team rapport and learning the history and heroism of Flight 93's passengers. |
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Mammoth Cave Tours The group visited Mammoth Cave to walk in the footsteps of the first explorers of the cave system. Here, they learned the history and role of African American slaves during the development of cave tour routes and the visitor experience throughout the 19th and early 20th century. |
