Kin Yan Agrotech - Aloe Vera & Mushroom!

Personally, I feel that Kin Yan Agrotech is a good place for students to learn about aloe vera because some students may come across aloe vera in drinks but they may not know how it looks like or even what are benefits of consuming aloe vera. Thus, it will be an opportunity for them to learn and also understand how it grows.

Before visiting the farm, the teacher can give worksheet for students to do so that it will be a fruitful trip for them to learn about aloe vera, mushroom, etc. This activity also helps to check their understanding from the trip. If possible, students can form into groups, doing an assignment on what they have learnt from the farm that involves taking pictures and doing some write-up on a vanguard sheet.

Examples of what they can write in the assignment:

a) HEALTH BENEFITS OF ALOE VERA

- Polysaccharides strengthen immune system
- Detoxifies body
- Helps absorption from the digestive system
- Lubricates joints
- Protects cells
- Aids gaseous exchange in the lungs
- Soothes and repairs damaged / inflamed tissues
- Enhances blood circulation
- Removes toxic materials from cells (detoxification)

Aloe vera contains over 20 minerals, 22 amino acids and Vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, B12, C and E which are essential to the human body.

b) From the farm, they also can learn about there are two species: Aloe Vera Barbardensis and Aloe Vera Chinensis. Ask them to differentiate between the two species and uses.

c) Students can also talk about what are the products that can make from aloe vera: aloe vera concentrate, honey aloe vera cube, etc

They also sell aloe vera drinks, aloe vera jelly with apple or passion fruit flavoured that may not be found in other places.

Kin Yan Agrotech also organise aloe vera cooking demo and educational programmes for students. It is important for teachers to call them to check the timings for these activities because they may not have it everyday.

However, I think for Kin Yan Agrotech does not have a lot of varieties for the mushroom. So I suggest to go specialized mushroom farm called Mycofarm, at 9 Seletar West Farmway 5 . The website is http://www.mycofarm.com.sg/content/contact/
They have Shittake mushroom , Oyster mushroom and Abalone mushroom that are cultured in a control environment where the temperature is kept between 15 and 20 degree Celsius and a humidity of at least 80 percent for optimum growth and thickness.


From the reviews (http://www.singaporelocaltour.com/2010/01/educational-tour-part-2-mushroon-farm.html) that I read about the farm, the guide will show the visitors around their numerous greenhouses (>20). The guide also explains about the life cycle of that particular breed of mushrooms, the type of mushroom, what kind of log are used, the temperature, the plucking methods and how the logs are broken down into nutrients rich soil, etc. According to the website, the entrance fee per person is $3.50. If your school have no budget, this can be a fruitful trip for you and your students!