Foxcroft School (VA), already known for its equestrian program, is offering students greater opportunities by creating an internship program with Middleburg Agricultural Research and Extension (MARE) Center. Foxcroft students will help with college- and graduate-level research projects that complement the school’s STEM program and equestrian program.“Providing our students with experiential learning and advanced research opportunities related to horse care is an important part of our strategic initiatives to provide unique learning experiences in and out of the classroom,” says Head of School Cathy McGehee.
Situated in the heart of Virginia horse country and just a few miles from the Foxcroft School campus, the MARE Center is one of Virginia Tech’s 11 agricultural research and extension centers. Through collaboration with academic and industry partners around the world, the center conducts research and offers educational programming in equine science.
In this new partnership, MARE faculty and graduate students will engage Foxcroft students in ongoing research projects that involve equine nutrition and health, pasture management, conservation and land stewardship, and equine reproduction. By acquiring a greater understanding of the scientific method, including experiment design and implementation, Foxcroft interns will further their skills in the areas of critical thinking, problem solving, communication, collaboration,
and leadership.
In the 2017 fall semester, three Foxcroft students were paired with Virginia Tech graduate students as interns assisting in their research activities. The research studies focused on nutrition practices that optimize equine health and performance. Outcomes of the research initiatives will be presented on scientific and academic platforms, ultimately affecting the way horses are fed and cared for.
“The graduate students serve as outstanding mentors for our students interested in animal science,”McGehee says. “Foxcroft interns will gain confidence and have a real-world perspective that will serve them well in college and in future STEM careers. Plus, the excitement in our students’ voices when they describe their work at the MARE Center is inspiring.”
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