Learning Beyond the Classroom: Students Explore Florida

Shark tooth excavation. Small-scalefarming. International art shows. AtBenjamin, these experiences are partof our curriculum.

Down a winding, pothole-covered dirtroad, nestled between 100-foot bambooand lush coconut trees, sits a tenacretropical farm in Jupiter, Florida.This hidden gem is a grass-basedfarm where owner Suzie and her familyraise pastured poultry, pigs andcattle for meat and dairy. Students inDr. Hope Myers’ Economic Issues classhad the exciting opportunity to visitJupiter Creamery on September 12,where they learned about businessoperations and how certain governmentregulations can shape how acompany does business.

“At the Jupiter Creamery, my studentssaw how even a small-scale,nonprofit farm must follow certainregulations in order to operate. Thestudents were surprised at how muchthought and research went into theorganization and maintenance of adairy farm in order to stay in complianceof regulations, as well as carefor their cows. Suzie and her two

children helped us understand how toethically care for animals and at thesame time run a nonprofit company,”said Myers.

Dr. Myers says the dairy industrymay be one of the most heavily regulatedindustries in the world, and itwas important to show her studentshow the United States regulatesdairy operations.

AP Art and Art History students,led by teacher Sarah Davis ‘07, hadthe opportunity to attend Art Baselat the Miami Beach ConventionCenter. Students explored worksfrom more than 200 of the world’sleading art galleries.

“As an art department, one of ourgoals is to provide more opportunitiesfor our students to experienceartwork in galleries, museums andprivate collections. This has been aninvaluable experience for students inthe past to interact with works theyhave also studied,” said Davis.

Meanwhile, Benjamin fourth gradersenjoyed interactive exhibits, includinggem mining, shark tooth excavation

and a “physics forest” during the grand opening celebration for the South Florida Science Center’s new Fisher Family Trail.

Students Zosia Freedman and Colin Gelnaw said they loved being part of the grand opening.

They said their favorite activity was finding crystals in the gem mine. The pair also enjoyed looking for shark teeth in the sandpit.

Sixth grade students enjoyed their annual pilgrimage to St. Augustine where they viewed life through the perspective of early Spanish settlers.

Middle School English teacher Denise Ponchock says the trip is a way to bring the Middle School’s studies to life.

“Students visit the site where the Spanish explorer, Pedro Menéndez de Aviles, landed and established the St. Augustine settlement in 1565. Students see Timucua artifacts, habitats, and tools they shared with the early Spanish settlers. We visited the Castillo de San Marcos where the Spanish defended themselves against the besieging French and English. It is a trip that helps students connect with history in a way that only travel and experience can,” said Ponchock.