Not jut kidding around

Freddy, the newest member of the Ag Ambassadors group, is striped, 2 feet long and likes to eat mice. He's generally a big hit with the younger set.

This spring, for example, toddlers at the Chinese American Community Center's Montessori School met Freddy, who's an albino corn snake. The occasion was a wildlife talk presented by Beth Wisotzkey, Chris Howey and Heather Roettger, all AG 2004.

As Ag Ambassadors, these undergraduates represent the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at events and activities on and off the campus, including community festivals, new-student orientation sessions and presentations at local schools and preschools. The three students, who all are wildlife conservation majors, say they know it can be challenging to keep little ones engaged and entertained. That's where Freddy comes in--as a grand finale surprise visitor designed to keep the excitement level high.

Not that the UD students needed to worry about losing their audience's attention at the Montessori preschool in Hockessin, Del. Wisotzkey, Howey and Roettger captivated the 25 youngsters, ages 2 and 3, with their interactive talk about animal habitats. They brought a backpack full of beanbag animals, asked the children to name each type and then tossed the stuffed toys, one by one, to the preschoolers who correctly identified them. Later, the Ag Ambassadors displayed illustrations depicting a variety of animal habitats, ranging from rivers and lakes to woods and meadows.

"Where does the fish live?" asked Wisotzkey, patiently listening to a variety of responses before a child came up with the right answer. Wisotzkey later said she was surprised how much the children knew about animals, considering their young age.

As the presentation concluded, Howey asked, "So, what's the word of the day?"

"Habitat!" shouted out a tow-headed 2-year-old. "A house," he added, with a proud grin.

Donna Palumbo, who teaches at the preschool, says she was impressed with the caliber of the Ag Ambassadors' presentation. "The UD students really put a lot of time and effort into their talk," she says. "The lesson was age-appropriate, engaging and fun. It was a great extension of our regular science and nature curriculum."

Later that same day, another student fielded kids' questions--including some unanticipated ones--about his recent trip to Antarctica.

Josh Galperin, AS 2004, who has a minor in wildlife conservation, traveled to Antarctica in January as part of a study-abroad program, co-sponsored by the colleges of Agriculture and Natural Resources and Arts and Science, that focused on photojournalism and wildlife photography.

After returning, Galperin visited New Garden Elementary School, in Toughkenamon, Pa., to talk to Victoria Dickens' first-grade class. The class had just finished up a month-long unit on penguins, and Galperin was there to expand the students' knowledge of this bird that has beguiled humans for centuries.

He soon discovered that first-graders can be every bit as unpredictable as the preschoolers the Ag Ambassadors had visited. Not only did he answer lots of questions about penguins, he also responded to such queries as "Did you take any taxis there?" and "Did you see Santa Claus?"

"Santa doesn't live at the South Pole; he lives at the North Pole," replied Galperin, without missing a beat. "But, if I had gone to the North Pole, I would have been sure to look for him."

He and the three Ag Ambassadors have had to juggle their own full academic schedules to make time for these classroom visits. But, Galperin says, the experience has been rewarding and a lot of fun.

"Not a lot of people get the opportunity to visit Antarctica," he says. "It's great to be able to share some of what I've learned with others."

Karen Aniunas, the College's assistant dean of student services, says classroom visits and other outreach efforts are par for the course for her students.

"Along with teaching and research, one mission of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources is service," Aniunas says. "Our students regularly serve the community by speaking to school classes and community groups, by leading tours of the College's facilities and by organizing and participating in a wide variety of community events."

The College of Agriculture and Natural Resources has students qualified to speak about animal science, wildlife conservation, entomology, food science, apiculture, plant and soil sciences, horticulture and numerous other topics. To arrange for a visit to your school or community group, contact Karen Aniunas at (302) 831-2508.

--Margo McDonough, AS '86, '95M