Students at Bell Top Elementary School in East Greenbush, New York, recently engaged in a hands-on learning experience as they made fresh apple cider using a traditional cider press. This activity took place in the school’s Learning Barn, a facility built in 1997 that serves as a unique educational resource for the students.
The Learning Barn, cared for by first-grade teacher Melanie Lyte, has recently undergone upgrades, including the installation of running water and electricity to meet current building code standards. Principal Mike Neumann ensures the facility is well-maintained, emphasizing cleanliness and pest control. Volunteers from Regeneron, participating in their “Day For Doing Good,” contribute by performing maintenance and repairs on the barn.
Lyte, who purchased the cider press with a grant, shared her inspiration for the project. “I went to a place in Gent where they did apple picking and cider making, and I loved it so much I wanted to do it with the school,” she recalled. The Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) also supported the initiative by providing apples, alongside contributions from local orchards in previous years.
During the cider-making process, students were divided into teams, each responsible for specific tasks. Roles included “washers” to clean the apples, “runners” to bring them to the barn, and “fillers” to pour the cider into containers. Each class rotated through these positions, allowing every student to participate fully. Older students demonstrated greater independence, combining roles for efficiency during their visits.
“This is probably the best apple cider you’ll ever drink because you made it yourselves,” Lyte told her first graders as they worked diligently. The cider was not only enjoyed by students at school but also sent home with them, reinforcing the pride of their accomplishment.
The cider-making activity was integrated into the students’ regular curriculum. For instance, Lyte’s students created a how-to book detailing the cider-making process, while third graders learned about the life cycles of apple trees, enhancing their understanding of science concepts. “The Learning Barn is a great hands-on resource to work on our STEM lessons,” said third-grade teacher Heather Gigliello, who oversees barn activities for her grade.
The Learning Barn has become a valuable resource not only for Bell Top but also for other schools within the East Greenbush Central School District. This year, several elementary schools and a homeschool program organized field trips to utilize the barn’s facilities for cider-making activities.
Neumann expressed his enthusiasm for the Learning Barn, stating, “I think the Learning Barn is another great tradition we have here.” The collaborative efforts of teachers, students, and volunteers exemplify the commitment to experiential learning that defines the educational environment at Bell Top.
“This hands-on approach makes a lasting impression on the children,” Gigliello highlighted. “It’s something they remember for years.” The success of this initiative reinforces the value of the Learning Barn as a unique educational asset, fostering a sense of community and shared learning among students and educators alike.
