WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. —  Generally a person doesn’t buy a pair of shoes without trying them on. That’s the thinking behind the Cargill-Purdue Agribusiness Science Academy Camp (C-PASA), which allows high school students the opportunity to take a glance at diverse educational opportunities offered at Purdue University’s College of Agriculture. This two-week camp was held July 7-19.

This summer, high school students explored the John S. Wright Forestry Center, located four miles west of Purdue University’s main campus. The John S. Wright Center includes teaching and research laboratories, office space for faculty and students, two greenhouses, two walk-in coolers for sorting large plant specimens and a conference facility.

The 17,000-sqare-foot center is used as a field lab, teaching resource and meeting place for faculty, staff and students in the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources as well as other departments on campus.

 “C-PASA provides high school students with an early opportunity to see if Purdue University is the ‘right fit,’” said Zachary Brown, assistant director for student recruitment and retention in Purdue Agriculture’s Office of Multicultural Programs. “Many students find new, unexpected pathways or confirm their commitment to their beloved passions.

 “Their only cost they incur is getting from home, to Purdue University, and back home again. They come to this camp and receive college credit. We want to make sure students not only learn what agriculture knowledge can do for them, but we want to provide them with college readiness.”

 The program offered two tracks: Plant and Environmental Sciences and Biological Sciences and Engineering, allowing students to explore various agricultural fields of study. These courses cover such topics as forestry and natural resources (FNR), entomology, agronomy, horticultural and landscape architecture, biochemistry, agricultural and biological engineering, animal sciences, agricultural sciences education and communication.

 The students met with various experts in the science fields, including Megan Gunn, a recruitment and outreach specialist for FNR and Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant. Gunn led a fish dissection workshop to examine macro invertebrates, or aquatic insects, which help determine the health of aquatic ecosystems.

 “These aquatic insects are indicators of water quality,” said Gunn, who took the students out and collected water samples. “All of these different pieces tell us a different part of the story of how water is healthy.”

 Students also spent time with ornithologist and Purdue Wildlife Ecology professor Barny Dunning to observe researchers banding and releasing birds to assess their health status. They also learned about maintaining healthy terrestrial ecosystems and the processes scientists use to keep these ecosystems functioning. One popular activity was that of climbing trees in Martell Forest in Montmorenci, Indiana.

Another popular stop was the Purdue Student Farm, where students learned about crop rotation, observed beehives, and toured the farm operations.

Jane Pickey, a senior studying sustainable food and farming systems, mentored students as they explored the farm.

 “I really enjoy sharing what I know, especially with people who are curious,” Pickey said. “It’s so fulfilling to both learn something and then to teach it in a way that gets people excited about what they’re learning.”

 Outside of coursework, students toured Syngenta and Cargill, Inc., and visited the Indianapolis Zoo and Fair Oaks Farms. At Fair Oaks, they explored milk production, learned about new farming technologies, and interacted with a cowbell-playing robot.  

“It’s great to see the students having fun with people from different backgrounds,” Brown said. “The majority of the participants met for the very first time at the program and left with friends that they will have a lifetime.”

 The C-PASA High School Camp will introduce students to ag research, education and career opportunities again next year.