Science Matters: LBCC hosts 7th annual Earth Day Fair

Linda Hobson, a GED instructor, prepares pots for people to plant in at the Earth Day celebration last Thursday.

“Science Matters” came to light last Thursday during the LBCC’s Earth Day Celebration.

The 7th annual LBCC Earth Day Fair was held on the main campus courtyard on Thursday, April 20 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

LBCC’s 2017 theme for Earth Day was “Science Matters.” With the help of STEM faculty, students were given the opportunity to ask science related questions and debunk or disprove science related myths.

Clubs, companies, and organizations held booths around the courtyard promoting science, clean energy, and botany.

The American Association of Women in Community Colleges (AAWCC) planted flowers for Earth Day, sponsored by Peoria Gardens, while other clubs such as the Horticulture Club, gave attendants a tour of the campus’ organic farm, giving out seeds and plant starts along the way.

“It’s all donation based, so people can come by and plant flowers,” said AAWCC Vice President Vickie Keith. “We’re raising money for student scholarships.”

Attendants had the opportunity to bring their old shoes for recycle to the First United Methodist Church’s Green Team table and LBCC student welders sold recycled metal art pieces.

An “Earth Day Café” lunch was offered, serving students, staff, and attendants.

Community information tables included the Audubon Society of Corvallis, City of Albany Water Conservation, Corvallis Science March, First United Methodist Church Green Team, Oak Creek Young Women’s Transition Program, Pacific Power Blue Sky Energy Program, Salmon Watch, Oregonians for Science and Reason, OSU Master Gardeners, Republic Services Recycling, USDA Agriculture Research Services, and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.

This event was sponsored by the LBCC Horticulture Club, LBCC Science, Engineering and Math division, and the LBCC Student Leadership

Story by Hannah Buffington

Photos by Elliot Pond