Maple Syrup
This is a project started by five seniors with a mild interest in the syruping process that became the catalyst for what will become a K-12 experiential learning opportunity. Our first year saw students successfully engage in the grant writing process, recruit community businesses to sponsor our vision, build a reverse osmosis filter, sell the syrup on the school store and collaborate with our French program.
The New York State Maple Syrup Network
Our goal is to create a state-wide network of shared resources for educators interested in a cross-disciplinary curriculum anchored in maple syrup. Our curriculum is under development, but currently includes a range of resources for the K-12 classroom: living environment, environmental science, ELA, global studies, French, engineering, entrepreneurship, and digital media and design.
Participants in our network help us crowd-source data that fuels student science projects: tree location using GPS, tree circumference, kilograms of sap collected per tree, sugar content. We're also working to create a body of resources that look beyond the science of maple syrup and support educators in the humanities. Please contact us if you're interested in joining this network!
2024 NYSCATE Presentation
Maple Syrup How-To Videos
Technology How-To Videos
Oral Histories of Maple Syrup Producers
Our learners worked with the The History Center of Tompkins County to fill a gap in their agricultural oral histories. Preparation for the project required refining interview questions and skills as well as learning to become an active listener. Our final product will be housed at The History Center and is available on Spotify.