Fourth grader Jada Brooks is more than a decade shy of credentials to be as a professional scientist, but this minor detail won’t stop her from practicing the scientific method on a daily basis.

The Parkview Elementary School student quickly spouts off facts about the dangers of power lines and how lint can be used to start a campfire. She said she loves science and testing her many hypotheses. 

Even with talk of 7,000 volts of power that could electrocute someone, Jada appeared unfazed by the power of nature. 

The aspiring scientist was among 300 fourth graders from area schools, including students from Southeast and Northeast Lauderdale elementary schools, who attended the third annual Conservation and National Resources Camp for fourth graders in Lauderdale County and Meridian Public School Districts.

Jada said awareness of fallen or damaged electrical power lines can do if someone touches them can help save lives. 

“It’s a little scary because if you stand too close you’ll get electrocuted,” she said matter of factly. “But if you stand back, you’ll be fine.” 

The students exchanged their school classrooms for an open-air facility of learning at the Lauderdale County Agri-Center. 

Different partner organizations energized and entertained students with  information about materials, locations and experiences within their home state, many found in their home county. They learned about forestry, fisheries, wildlife, soil, air quality, cultural resources, electrical safety and boat safety. 

Deona Fox, a fourth grade math teacher at Parkview Elementary, said she appreciated the experience to connect students to the larger world around them.

While the students may not yet be able to understand physics equations, the exposure to science demonstrations and expert professionals helps captivate young minds. 

“This exposes them to different things around Mississippi and learning opportunities related to it,” Fox said. 

Next year, the students will take the state science test as fifth graders. Teachers see the conservation and natural resources camp created by the Lauderdale County Soil and Water Conservation District as an opportunity to help pique students’ interest in science, and help increase test scores as a result. 

“It’s very important to the accountability model in our schools and districts,” Fox said. 

A variety of interests

Students gathered around Mississippi Power lineman Stephen Moore as he demonstrated what can happen if someone flies a kite into a power line. Other students gathered around different booths, exposing students to new worlds. 

Northeast Elementary student Karma Malone took a break from learning about the value of buying local food to discuss her favorite discovery of the day – silt. 

“It’s like soil,” she said. “But when you touch it, it feels like baby powder.” 

Meridian Public School District dropout prevention coordinator Deidre Bland spend much of her day walking among the groups of students on the Agri-Center’s dirt floor.

She said finding ways to help interest kids in science, engineering, technology and mathematics at an early age will help keep them in school and graduate to productive careers and better life opportunities. 

“They’re able to make connections from the science curriculum to this opportunity today,” Bland said.