Students in Brad Foster’s Agricultural Science classes at Tiger Ventures recently got a hands-on 
lesson in one of the sweetest parts of New York’s natural resources: maple syrup production.
With guidance from Tiger Ventures staff member Katelyn Perrino and her father, students learned how to tap maple trees right on school grounds. They collected sap, boiled it down, and discovered just how much work goes into producing even a small amount of syrup.
One key takeaway? It takes about 40 gallons of sap to make just one gallon of syrup. Since sap is mostly water, boiling it is essential to concentrate the sugars and achieve that familiar maple flavor.
Thanks to their efforts—and a lot of patience—the students produced 
enough syrup to enjoy a well-earned taste of their own hard work.
This hands-on project gave students a deeper appreciation for agriculture, natural science, and the rewards of seeing a process through from start to finish.
