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MCCLURE -- There's a lot of learning to be had inside a 34-foot trailer, as students at Mifflin County Christian Academy discovered on Oct. 13.
The Pennsylvania WoodMobile stopped at Mifflin County Christian Academy in McClure. The traveling exhibit, sponsored by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, gave students an up-close look at the forestry industry and all that it has to offer.
"I thought it would be a great educational experience, especially for the life science and biology classes," said Craig Todd, Mifflin County Christian Academy administrator and high school science teacher.
"So many facts about our great state of PA, especially that PA produces more hardwood trees than any other state," he added. "And that for every tree harvested, two are growing in its place."
Students were able to view all the different kinds of hardwood produced in the state. They also learned about the forest industry, how products are made and managed in a sustainable way.
"This was our first visit," Todd explained. "It was a great 'at-home' field trip. Very informative for all ages."
Todd and the students found it interesting to see that a tree, a natural resource, can make all of these products.
Todd, who was behind bringing the WoodMobile to the school, said it's important for students to learn about forestry and how to protect and utilize the environment that is around them.
"Each class got a 30- to 40-minute tour and listened to the director and heard about the tree and wood industries in PA," Todd explained. "It was a great experience and good information about our state."
More than 100 students plus teachers were able to take part in the program from kindergarten through grade 12.
Since 2002, the WoodMobile has participated in more than 1,270 events and has reached more than two million visitors, including more than 232,000 students and teachers.
The WoodMobile provides an interactive experience, educating visitors about our forest, the sustainable forest products industry, how products are made and threats to our forests like invasive insects and plants, diseases and white-tailed deer.