Local students learn the benefits of soybean crops
(Talk of the Town photos by Gloria Reimers) Little Turtle Elementary students in Mrs. Myer's class, above, and in Mrs. Johnson's class, below, learned how to make soy ice recently, part of a learning program on the benefits of soybean crops.
By Gloria Reimers
The United States is falling dangerously behind other nations in developing its future workforce of scientist, engineers and technology experts. 
America now faces a future of intense global competition with a startling shortage of scientist. The 2nd graders at Little Turtle Elementary School were up to the Soy Sensation Science Experiment challenge.
Purdue Extension-Whitley Office presented a Soy Sensation Science Experiment to Mrs. Myers’, Mrs. Johnson’s, Mrs. Owen’s and Mrs. Short’s classrooms at Little Turtle Elementary School for a total of 86 students. This experiment met some of the Indiana’s Science Standards curriculum per grade level.
The Purdue Science Experiment showed how to make soy ice out of soy milk by using the milk from soybeans. The children used vanilla and chocolate soy milk to make their soy ice. The children put in a great deal of effort by shaking their ingredients in their bag of ice for about 10 to 15 minutes. The children realized making soy ice used more energy than going to the grocery store to buy ice cream. Once, their soy ice was frozen they enjoyed sampling the different flavors from their experiment. The soy ice tasted good and was also, rich in protein with amino acids, lecithin, vitamin E, minerals and fiber. The children were able to have fun while learning.
With the Purdue Science experiment the children were introduced to the benefits of soy products. They were able to view soybeans that are grown in fields locally by Whitley County farmers. Soybeans are often called the miracle crop. It is the world’s foremost provider of protein and oil. A few samples of edible soybeans uses are baby food, breakfast cereals, cookies, cooking oil and salad dressing. Another favorite ingredient would be lecithin that is extracted from soybean oil to keep chocolate and cocoa butter from separating. Some nonfood products created with soybeans include crayons, candles, plastics and biodiesel fuel. A picture of Henry Ford’s plastic-bodied soybean car was viewed by the children.
The H.A.N.D.S. Foundation, a part of the Whitley County Community Foundation, will be funding the Purdue Soy Experiment. If you have a group of children that are up for the challenge of making soy ice while learning and having fun please contact the Purdue Extension-Whitley County Office at 244-7615 or send an email to gjreimer@purdue.edu.