What started as a simple student-led question has blossomed into a full-scale educational initiative rooted in sustainability, science, and sweet rewards.
Two years ago, Livonia High School Environmental Science students Esther Slocum and Katie Cooper asked, “How much sap could Livonia’s sugar maples produce?” That curiosity led to the creation of a commercial-scale maple sugaring operation on campus, spearheaded by the school’s Climate Connections Club.
This fall, students installed a professional-grade sap collection system in the school’s woodland sugar bush. Their goal: to gather 1,200 gallons of sap and produce 30 gallons of pure, locally made maple syrup in their newly constructed sugarhouse.
The Sugarhouse, as it stands today, was generously donated by the New York State Master Teacher Program. The unassembled structure had been stored at SUNY Geneseo before being delivered to the district, where Livonia CSD’s dedicated maintenance staff assembled it into the fully operational facility it is today. Now equipped with modern evaporating equipment, the Sugarhouse serves as a hands-on classroom for students interested in environmental science and agricultural practices. The district extends its gratitude to the Master Teacher Program for its continued support in providing equipment and resources to enrich this unique learning environment.
Community members are invited to experience the Sugarhouse and sugar bush firsthand during a special event on Thursday, April 24. Guided tours of our sugarhouse and sugar bush will begin at 5:00 PM or following the student presentations that begin at 6:00 PM in the large cafeteria at Livonia Middle/High School. These presentations, traditionally held at Vitale Park in partnership with the Conesus Lake Association, are a great opportunity to hear directly from students about their environmental research.
“This is a unique opportunity for our students to share their research and environmental work with the broader community,” said Enviromental teacher Brian Sheldon. “And yes—there will be syrup available for purchase! With a strong sap run, we may have more than 10 gallons bottled and ready to go.” Don’t miss your chance to see student-led science in action and take home a taste of Livonia’s very own maple syrup.
Register to attend here: https://woa.wufoo.com/forms/wec-event-registration/