Every student has a slightly different idea of what their education means to them, and what they hope it will bring them to in the future.
For some it is about understanding the old masters of arts and literature. For others, the science of the body or the planets is what school is all about.
For Pine Lake Middle School eighth-grader Jordan Lederman the focus is something a little more, well, agricultural – chickens!
But Lederman’s chicken interest in no flight(less) of fancy. She is seriously schooled when it comes to the science of these friendly fowl.
“I was 5 years old when I got my first chicken,” Jordan said. “I went to a state fair in Oklahoma where I was visiting family and the poultry section was my favorite. My Mom and Dad said that they knew right away that I would want a chicken.”
Since then Lederman has done a lot of research on incubators and coops, and has developed a thriving flock.
She enjoys spending time with her birds every day after school.
And now, Lederman’s chicken expertise is captivating America. The video she entered in a national schools competition has been chosen from more than 600 entries to make it to the top 10.
Earlier this year the U.S. Department of Education invited all students to submit a video outlining what their education meant to them, in the “I Am What I Learn” video contest.
It was part of President Barack Obama’s challenge to students to take greater responsibility for their education – with a $1,000 incentive for the winning entry.
Lederman’s remarkable entry features a number of feathered co-stars, including Mary, a Rhode Island Red and Gertrude, a Silkie Bantam.
When she heard about the national video contest, Lederman immediately thought of all the skills and knowledge from school that help her raise her chickens.
“So it was a natural thing to combine learning and my ‘girls’ as my video theme,” she said.
You can help our local star win the contest by voting for her at www.ed.gov/iamwhatilearn/ – and “Lederman100” in the search box.
Voting ends December 4.
