News : Open House set for VSHS Animal Learning Lab March 27

On Friday, March 27, from 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M., the Vinton-Shellsburg High School will showcase a rather unique Animal Learning Laboratory. This open house and field day, themed “Education through Experience,” will take place in the new learning lab located off the east end of the high school.

WHO radio will be broadcasting portions of the event, which will include Brian Waddingham, from the Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers, on Economic Trends in Iowa Agriculture; Louise Fleming, VSHS Agriculture Educator, with an overview of the Animal Learning Lab facility and Mary Jo Hainstock, Superintendent, recognizing the donors. Lunch will be provided.

The event is open to the public. Visitors are asked to park at the Benton County Fairgrounds and a shuttle will take them to the high school beginning at 10:30 A.M. For more information about parking contact: Mark Pingenot at (319) 560-9079.

Fundraising for the Animal Learning Laboratory began in September of 2013, with both private donations and school district funding. Fall of 2014 saw the lab’s completion.

The Animal Learning Lab provides a unique opportunity to enhance the Animal Science and Veterinary Technician classes now offered at VSHS and will allow the agriculture department to offer more courses and stronger learning experiences in animal production and technology. The lab may also serve as a second Ag classroom to accommodate a second teacher as the program continues to grow. Whatever the future holds, students now will dive into hands-on instruction concerning horses, cattle, swine, sheep, poultry, and companion animals. Those hands will get dirty.

The facility will not be restricted to school use. Inter-school district events, 4-H and/or youth workshops, and community outreach programs such as ISU Extension or commodity groups will be welcomed as they take advantage of this unique in Iowa school/community collaboration.