Lisburn News

Field trip for Wallace High pupils

Wallace High School A2 Biology students who visited the Agriculture and Food Biosciences Institute Park in Hillsborough recently.

A GROUP of 60 A2 Wallace High School Biology students recently made a trip to the Agriculture and Food Biosciences Institute park in Hillsborough. The A level specification for Biology requires students to appreciate the environmental impact of farming practice and AFBI are at the cutting edge of developing new technologies in order to reduce the environmental impact of farming.

The students were able to see first hand the technologies that are being developed to use renewable energy sources to provide heat and electricity - for example willow fuelled boilers and
photovoltaic panels. In addition the staff at AFBI also outlined their research into greenhouse gas emissions from cattle and demonstrated some of the approaches used to measure the gases released from their herd.

All students that attended the trip gained a fascinating insight into how a scientific approach to the issues facing farmers is resulting in some hi tech solutions that may be applied across a range of industries.

Head of Biology, Mr. Neal McKnight, commented:
"Having the opportunity to come to AFBI has really brought the issues dealt with in the classroom to life and made them much more relevant to our students. The facilities that AFBI have in Hillsborough are excellent and our students were enthused with what they saw and heard.

"I am certain that this insight into the scientific approach to agriculture will inspire many of our students to consider taking their studies of this area further as they apply to university for degree courses. I would like to thank all the staff at AFBI for accommodating us at their facilities and we hone to return next year."

Ulster Star
12/10/2012