Wood Magic Pictorial
How many fourth graders in South Carolina can tell you that for every tree harvested 5 more are planted in their place? How many can explain what a renewable resource is? How many students realize that products they use every day such as chewing gum and toothpaste come from trees? And how many will let you know that one of the main reasons why recycling is important is to conserve landfill space?
Thanks to South Carolina's first Wood Magic Forest Fair, at least 654 fourth grade students can now give you the answer to these and other questions about forestry in our state. In addition, 29 teachers and about 90 chaperones also have an increased awareness of the importance of sustainable forestry.
Patterned after a program held annually at Mississippi State University, the Wood Magic Forest Fair was held October 18-22, 1999 at Harbison State Forest in Columbia. The purpose of the Fair was to provide information to students and their teachers about the sustainable management of forest resources and the role of forests and forest products in their daily lives. As the following pages show, this goal was accomplished through a variety of hands-on activities led by forestry professionals from several organizations.
Wood Magic was funded in part by a one-time Natural Resource Conservation Education grant. Additional funds were provided by forest industry contributions to the South Carolina Forestry Foundation. In August of 1999, brochures describing the program were mailed to all elementary schools in South Carolina. Over 75 classes expressed an interest in attending the Fair, but only 25 slots were available. Participants were selected on a first-come, first-served basis. Plans are to hold two Fairs in the year 2000, but future expansion of this program will depend to a large extent on our ability to obtain adequate funding.
Teacher surveys and student follow-up quizzes have indicated that this year's Fair was a huge success. Teachers were thankful for the well-organized way in which the day's events flowed, and were very appreciative of the lesson plans and all of the other materials they were given. Through repetition, the students took away several key points. As one parent stated,"They got it!"
Take a walk through a day at SC's Wood Magic Forest Fair. See for yourself how much fun learning about forests and forest products can be.
Mission and Objectives The purpose of the Wood Magic Forest Fair is to provide information to students and their teachers about the sustainable management of forest resources and the role of forests and forest products in their daily lives.
Major Objectives
Upon completion of the WMFF program, students will be able to:
Synopsis
I. Pre-work Teachers are sent the 15-minute video "The Miracle Resource", produced by the Temperate Forest
Foundation, and are given questions to ask students following the video.
II. Arrival Each class is met by a guide, who leads them to each station. Before the introduction a class picture is taken and students have an opportunity to go to the restroom.
III. Introduction Two to three classes at a time assemble in the conference room of the education center. Students are introduced to the concept that they use forest products every day. They watch a video which is followed by a short period of questions and answers.
IV. Board Cuttin' Students learn how lumber is made by watching an old-fashioned sawmill cut boards out of a log. Students see a planer and an edger, feel bark and sawdust, and discuss other products.
Students see a "short" fire tower and a prescribed burned area. Instructor leads them in a discussion of wildfire and foresters' use of prescribed fire (wildlife habitat, hazard reduction, competition reduction, regeneration). Students dress up in firefighting clothes.
Instructor leads them in a discussion of the many benefits of forests (wildlife habitat, soil & water quality protection, air & noise filtering, recreation, social benefits, and economic benefits including jobs). Through playing a game, students see the interrelationships of forest plants and animals and man.
VII. Makin' Paper Instructor asks them questions about garbage, discusses landfill problems and how recycling paper can help. Each student recycles toilet tissue by breaking it up in water, screening it, and drying it.
VIII. Magic Show (Wrap-up) Through the use of sleight-of-hand, students are taught that you cannot always believe everything you see or hear. Through the use of student "volunteers" they come to an under- standing of how long it takes trees to grow and how many different forest products they use every day. The magic show concludes with "Blowing Bubbles," a demonstration of how air can pass through red oak wood. The instructor dips the wood in a soapy solution and blows bubbles, demonstrating a fun use of wood.
IX. Teacher Packets Teachers are given an Educator's Guide to the Wood Magic Forest Fair which contains several PLT lessons, a lesson plan to go along with "Blowing Bubbles," and other information on trees and forestry. Also included in the teacher packets is an interactive CD entitled "Forests Forever." This CD, produced by the South Carolina Forestry Association, emphasizes the importance of the environment, the value of wood products, and the need for balance in using trees. Students as well as teachers also receive Wood Magic T-shirts, activity sheets, rulers, pencils, and tree stencils.
"My class enjoyed and learned so much. All of the instructors, speakers, and guides were very knowledgeable, friendly, and helpful. The activities were certainly aligned with the science standards set forth by the State Department." "Thank you for a wonderful day at the 'Wood Magic Forest Fair.' It was a day filled with learning experiences and fun, too. We appreciate the great planning and organization that all of you did to enable us to see so many things during our day." "Each and every person, company, and organization seemed so well-prepared, interested in our students, and taught them so much. [They] were excellent educators for our students. "Absolutely marvelous! It would be splendid as an annual event." "The activities were excellent. They were appropriate to grade level and appropriate in length of time." "The program was well organized and one of the best field trips we have had with our students. Very informative and covered science standards." "Excellent program! Keep up the great work. Looking forward to next year." "We enjoyed it all. The kids were all very excited about the trip. The pre-visit information was helpful most did pretty well on a vocabulary test I gave them later. The post-visit questions some answered great, some didn't, but most gained a lot from the time. We're now following up with a unit on recycling a good follow-up!" "This is the best field trip I have ever taken my class on! Great preparation!" "My parents said that next to the Washington, DC trip for fifth graders, this trip was the best school-related trip. Even better than the fourth grade Charleston trip and Roper Mountain!" "Wow!! You did a great job! The children enjoyed themselves so much. I couldn't believe how smooth everything went. I appreciate your hard work and all the time you put in to making the experience so memorable. You really helped make my unit on forestry complete. Your message was well received and my children understand that this is a very important industry and resource." "I did not know so many things are made from trees. I did not know diapers, toothpaste, hairspray, bubblegum, and film were made from trees. I learned a lot more, but I can't name all of them."
"I loved the trip. Thank you for guiding us through the forest. I think you did a wonderful job of showing us everything. My Mom and I are always recycling our paper now. My Mom and I went outside and listed a lot of natural resources"
"Thank you for the cedar block of wood, it smells so good! I had a wonderful time. The pizza was delicious. I liked the magic show. But making the paper was my favorite part" "I really learned a lot. You changed my whole point of view. I never thought about how everything was connected. It was the best field trip I have ever been on."
"Thank you for letting us come to the forest. We had a lot of fun. I learned there is a good fire and bad. I learned that if a saw mill makes a bad cut they make it into shavings and make shavings into particle boards or to paper."
"We had a lot of fun because of all the things we did."
"I had a blast on Tuesday. I just wanted to thank you for being a part of a special event. You get to have fun and learn at the same time! I couldn't believe that aspirin was willow tree bark!"
"I enjoyed my whole day."
"I really liked the hands-on activities. I loved the certificates you gave us. Our guide Mr. Boykin was really nice. I think the CD roms were really cool. I will always remember my fun day." "Monday was the best day I've ever had."
Wood Magic Staff Hats off to the over 100 professionals who worked so hard to make South Carolina's first Wood Magic Forest Fair a reality. Folks from numerous organizations teamed up to provide the technical expertise required to organize and carry out this program. From erecting directional signs for the buses to cleaning up after each day's activities, these men and women did it all. Special thanks to Sam Caldwell, Sun Equipment Company, for providing the stimulus needed to get us started.
Susan Avery, SC Forestry Commission
Special thanks to the following who provided financial support* and/or in-kind services (personnel, equipment, and supplies):
Synopsis and Stations
Schools That Participated
Teacher Quotes
Student Quotes
Staff
Sponsors and Support
Classes from as far away as Spartanburg attended the 1999 Fair. Below is a list of schools and the town in which they are located.
School Town Oak Grove Elementary Lexington Springdale Elementary West Columbia Ben Lippen Elementary Columbia Barnwell Elementary Barnwell Boiling Springs Elementary Boiling Springs Guinyard Elementary St. Matthews Newberry Academy Newberry Jesse S. Bobo Elementary Spartanburg Erwin Elementary Lancaster Pomaria - Garmany Elementary Pomaria Aiken Christian School Aiken Herald V Homeschool Columbia
TEACHER QUOTES
STUDENT QUOTES
Bruce Ballentine, SC Forestry Commission
Judy Barnes, SC DNR
Daniel Beach, Horry-Georgetown Tech
Gwen Beavans, USDA Forest Service
Rhett Bickley, SC Forestry Commission
Wesley Bouknight, Horry-Georgetown Tech
Bill Boykin, SC Forestry Commission
Mike Bozzo, SC Forestry Commission
Rebecca Brady, Central Carolina Tech
Brad Bramlett, SC Forestry Commission
David Brasell, Champion International Corp.
Steve Brown, Horry-Georgetown Tech
Carol Cabe, SC Forestry Commission
Ken Cabe, SC Forestry Commission
Carol Camp, USDA Forest Service
Vince Cannerella, SC Forestry Commission
Eddie Caskey, New South, Inc.
Seth Caughmon, Horry-Georgetown Tech
William Chapman, Horry-Georgetown Tech
Sam Cimburke, Westvaco
Jamie Clark, Horry-Georgetown Tech
Phil Cooley, Champion International Corp.
Emily Cope, SC DNR
Bonnie Cox, Central Carolina Tech
Colin Davis, Central Carolina Tech
Lyle Dickerson, Georgia-Pacific
Lide DuRant, Central Carolina Tech
Gayle Faerber, Central Carolina Tech
Alvin Feltman, USDA Forest Service
Ron Ferguson, SC Forestry Commission
Linda Floyd, SC Forestry Commission
Chase Folk, SC Forestry Commission
Gloria Freeman, SC Forestry Commission
Clay Gallup, Horry-Georgetown Tech
Jonathan Gowdy, Horry-Georgetown Tech
Jerry Groenke, New South, Inc.
Jim Gunther, Georgia-Pacific
Julia Hammond, SC Forestry Commission
Richard Harper, Clemson University
Mel Hensen, Westvaco
Brian Higginbotham, Central Carolina Tech
Jane Hiller, paper Stock Dealers
Juanita Hope, SC Forestry Commission
Chad Horne, Horry-Georgetown Tech
Russell Hubright, SC Forestry Commission
Joe Hutton, Horry-Georgetown Tech
Jay Jackson, Westvaco
Tamara James, USDA Forest Service
Crad Jaynes, SC Timber Producers Assoc.
Michelle Johnson, SC Forestry Commission
Darryl Jones, SC Forestry Commission
Jennifer Jordan, Central Carolina Tech
Mike Keim, Westvaco
Ray Keith, SC Forestry Commission
Andy King, King Lumber Company
Debbie Kiser, SC Forestry Commission
Robert Kittle, Horry-Georgetown Tech
Anne Kyle, SC Forestry Commission
Buddy Lominick, Horry-Georgetown Tech
Bill Mathis, Central Carolina Tech
Charles McCracken, Horry-Georgetown Tech
Cliff McKinney, SC Forestry Commission
John Miller, SC Forestry Commission
Roxie Moore, SC Forestry Commission
Jennie Morris, SC Forestry Commission
Sandy Morris, Central Carolina Tech
Al Nelson, Horry Georgetown Tech
Larry Nelson, Clemson University
Annie Nelson, Horry-Georgetown Tech
Ted Owens, Horry-Georgetown Tech
Clint Parks, Horry-Georgetown Tech
Freddie Peake, SC Forestry Commission
Gary Peters, USDA Forest Service
Scott Phillips, SC Forestry Commission
Derrick Phinney, SC Forestry Commission
Lavina Proctor, Central Carolina Tech
Ernie Rabb, Westvaco
Bill Reasonover, SC Forestry Commission
Cathy Rogers, SC Forestry Commission
Tom Rowland, Georgia Pacific
Jeff Rowlett, Horry-Georgetown Tech
David Ruff, SC Forestry Commission
Guy Sabin, SC Forestry Association
Lowe Sharpe, SC Forestry Commission
Mike Shealy, Central Carolina Tech
Jerry Shrum, SC Forestry Commission
Cathy Simmons, International Paper Co.
Marcus Singleton, SC Forestry Commission
Bryan Smith, Horry- Georgetown Tech
Clay Smith, Horry-Georgetown Tech
Travis Spainhour, SC Forestry Commission
Pete Spearman, SC Forestry Commission
Shane Sprouse, SC Forestry Commission
Sylvester Stephens, SC Forestry Commission
Eddie Stevens, SC Forestry Commission
Brett Taylor, Central Carolina Tech
Frances Taylor, SC Forestry Association
Ginger Thomas, USDA Forest Service
Mike Thomas, SC Forestry Commission
Daniel Timms, Horry-Georgetown Tech
Joe Trihey, Horry-Georgetown Tech
George Vernoski, Central Carolina Tech
Sally Walker, SC Forestry Commission
Dennis Wall, W.V. Wall & Sons, Inc.
Jimmy Walters, SC Forestry Commission
Will Warren, Horry-Georgetown Tech
Jimmy Watkins, J.P.W., Inc.
Paul Watts, SC Forestry Commission
Donnie Watts, Davis-Garvin Agency
Danny Whitner, New South, Inc.
Kris Wicker, Central Carolina Tech
Rebecca Wilson, Horry-Georgetown Tech
Ann Wilson, Horry Georgetown Tech
Mike Windhorn, Bowater, Inc.
Leslie Woodham, SC Forestry Commission
| American Forest & Paper Association Bowater, Inc. Central Carolina Technical College Champion International Cherokee Kenworth Clendenin Lumber Company* Davis-Garvin Agencies Dickert Lumber Company* Georgia-Pacific* Horry-Georgetown Technical College International Paper Company Kearse Land and Timber* Kearse Manufacturing* | King Lumber Company M.L. Corley & Sons New South, Inc. Paper Stock Dealers Pioneer Machinery SC Department of Natural Resources SC Pole and Piling, Inc.* S.C. Timber Producers Association Sonoco Sun Equipment Company* USDA Forest Service Westvaco* |
The South Carolina Forestry Commission prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, sex, color, national origin, age, or religion. Direct all inquiries to the Office of Human Resources, P.O. Box 21707, Columbia, S.C. 29221.
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