The Rutgers Equine Science Center, in partnership with the New Jersey Department of Agriculture, has announced the launch of “Fun on the Farm” - an interactive educational game to teach children about the science of a horse farm and environmental stewardship
. The game is now accessible through Equine Science 4 Kids, the youth component of the Center’s website, esc.rutgers.edu.
The game is a graphic representation of the Ryders Lane Environmental Best Management Practices Demonstration Horse Farm in New Brunswick. With over 35 questions, Fun on the Farm aims to teach children about storm water management, best practices for healthy pastures, animal waste management, and several other environmental challenges of maintaining an eco-friendly horse farm.
“At first glance, the Ryders Lane farm may look similar to most other farms; however, with assistance and support from several state and federal agencies, the farm was strategically designed to serve as a Best Management Practices model and learning center where research, education and proactive outreach is conducted,” said Dr. Karyn Malinowski, director of the Equine Science Center. “Fun on the Farm is an opportunity to present the expertise and research involved in developing the Ryders Lane farm into an entertaining introduction for young equine enthusiasts to learn the science of horses and their impact on the environment.”
To play the game, children click on stars which are interspersed throughout the landscape of the farm to answer a pop-up question with three possible answers. Fun on the Farm features more than 35 questions and players accumulate points in order to reach merit levels of achievement.
Players will find the questions amusing and parents are encouraged to test their knowledge of horses and the environment to compare scores with their children. The game includes interesting fun facts such as:
- compost piles do not attract flies because bacteria breaking down creates heat that is too hot for insects;
- rain fall is relatively clean water that can be collected and reused around the farm;
- diamond mesh fencing is often used on horse farms to prevent injury to hooves;
- prior to establishing a plot, farmers should test their soil to determine whether it needs additional nutrients.
Fun on the Farm is the featured game of the Horses and the Environment module of Equine Science 4 Kids. Additional games are in development for the other two modules: Exercise Physiology, and Healthcare & Nutrition.
About Rutgers Equine Science Center
The Equine Science Center is a unit of the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. Its mission is better horse care through research and education in order to advance the well-being and performance of horses and the equine industry. Its vision is to be recognized throughout New Jersey as well as nationally and internationally for its achievements in identifying issues in the horse industry, finding solutions through science-based inquiry, providing answers to the horse industry and to horse owners, and influencing public policy to ensure the viability of the horse industry.
(Rutgers Equine Science Center)