Des Moines First Field trip of the year!

Our first field trip of the year, gave us an insight to our future careers. We were given all-inclusive tours of three different businesses in the Des Moines area. We started out with visiting the Des Moines Feed and Nature center. We learned about the different types of feed, where they store it, and how they keep it fresh. We also got to see firsthand how they bag and package seed. The elementary went to another part of the company and they built bird houses as we explored the next two businesses.

After seeing all there was to see at the Nature Center, we headed to Ex-Guard. We were greeted by Jeremy Drever. Our tour there consisted of a video that gave an overview of Ex- Guard and a detailed tour of where the bumpers and bent, welded, and cut. We then watched the laser cut out sheets of metal. We also got the privilege to see Ex-Guard's second building where they dip and heat the bumper. Then the bumpers are stored for shipping.

Lastly we visited Todd's BBI. We got full tour of how they make, package, and sell their products. We learned that they can't cross contaminate certain ingredients so they have to clean out the entire room so that people with allergies won't get sick. They start with cleaning the machinery and tools. When they have an allergen they have to do a deep clean including washing the ceilings, walls, and floors. This prevents any allergen from contaminating the next batch of spices. We all learned a lot about cleanliness and just how important the smallest mistake can be.

We got back to the school just in time for a lunch provided Smokey D's. Soon after we ate we got to pull a number from a hat. This number decided what pumpkin we got to have. So with our partner we got our pumpkin and began to carve out our ideas. The results were everything from an old granny pumpkin to a snow man to your classic jack-o'-lantern. It was a fun and exciting day! We can't wait till our next field trip.

By Jocelyn Godron