UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- From building character to building a bank account, from reading skills to sanitary skills, parents and children who visit the Family Learning Hub at Penn State's 2002 Ag Progress Days, Aug. 20-22 will find a wealth of fun and information.

Located on Main Street between West 8th and 9th Streets at the Russell E. Larson Agricultural Research Center at Rock Springs, the area includes the Family Room building, the ImAGination Station, the Family Animal Learning Center and Shaver's Creek Environmental Center.

The theme in the Family Room is "Healthy Foods, Healthy Families," according to Marilyn Furry, Penn State associate professor of agricultural and extension education.

"We present the latest research and high-priority extension programs," she says, "but they're in contexts that are fun and engaging for children. We're addressing important issues for Pennsylvania today. But they're wrapped up in fun activities like a treasure hunt, guessing the totals in a piggy bank and 'fishing' for saving tips."

For instance, kids can attend "Handwashing University," which will demonstrate the importance of handwashing to personal health. Children will learn proper washing procedures at a handwashing area complete with working sink.

"Healthy Food, Healthy Families" will feature daily food demonstrations on topics such as Mexican-American gifts from the kitchen, increasing calcium in the diet with smoothies and "Kids in the Kitchen." "Character Works" helps prepare kids for work world success with employable skills related to principles from the "Character Counts for Kids" values development program.

"Connecting the Generations" will present several ways that young people and older adults can come together. "Families Are Important and Resilient" will share ideas to help families deal with stress, with sessions relating to youth sports and reading as a family activity.

"Pennsylvania Saves -- Financial Security for Life" will offer tips for establishing saving and banking habits in young children, including guessing the total amount of money in a piggy bank, and a "fishing for saving tips" contest for kids. "Up Close and Personal with D.B. Pest" uses a life-sized board game to teach children pesticide safety and how to reduce exposure in the home.

Nearby, Penn State's Shaver's Creek Environmental Center, will stage regular demonstrations featuring raptors, snakes and turtles. Goats, sheep and other domesticated animals will be on display at the Farm Animal Learning Center, hosted by Pennsylvanians for Responsible Use of Animals. And hands-on activities abound at the ImAGination Station: take a drop of water for a walk, guess where chocolate comes from, view a pictorial history of Pennsylvania 4-H, learn what you know about Pennsylvania agriculture and win a prize by completing a series of activities. The adventurous can navigate the corn maze, next to the Crops and Soils tent in E. 5th St.

Elsewhere, master storyteller Jan Kinney will entertain the young and young-at-heart with traditional tales and newer stories Tuesday and Wednesday at noon in the College Exhibits Building Theatre.

Because of concerns over the possible transmission of foot-and-mouth disease and other foreign animal diseases, visitors who have been overseas within two weeks of attending Ag Progress Days are asked not to visit the event's live-animal exhibit areas.

Penn State's Ag Progress Days is held at the Russell E. Larson Agricultural Research Center at Rock Springs, nine miles southwest of State College on Route 45. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday; 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday; and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday. Admission and parking are free.

For more information, call (800) PSU-1010 toll-free until August 22 or visit the Ag Progress Days Web site at http://apd.cas.psu.edu.

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EDITORS: Contact Marilyn Furry at 814-863-7428 or mfurry@psu.edu.

Contact: Gary Abdullah gxa2@psu.edu 814-863-2708 814-865-1068 fax #223