Kindergarten classes were separated into eight-student groups and give a glass jar of cream. For about 10 minutes, students shook cream jars vigorously and passed them around.

Most of the cream turned to butter with a little liquid left over.

New Ulm AMPI Operations Plant Manager Mike Ranweiler said the remaining liquid buttermilk could be used to make ice cream.

Kindergartener Brek Menssen tasted the butter placed on top of a cracker.

Staff photo by Fritz Busch Washington Learning Center Kindergartener Ella Friesner takes a turn at churning cream into butter Friday.

“It tastes like buttermilk. I like it,” he said. The other students were treated to butter samples which they appeared to enjoy.

Ranweiler said 250,000 pounds of butter are made during every 12-hour shift at the New Ulm butter plant. The butter is packed into 55-pound boxes and loaded on 2,858 semi trailer loads of butter each year.

Scouting America Field Director Erik Karre praised the collaborative program with local schools. He said the project introduces students to STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) by showing them the basic science of how butter is made.

“It’s a great partnership with AMPI, the New Ulm Public School district, Scouting America and United Way of the Brown County Area,” he said.

Boys and girls in grades K-5 interested in joining the Cub Scouts are invited to join Pack 51 at 6 p.m., Monday, Sept. 22 and Tuesday, Sept. 23 at Jefferson Elementary School. Youth who join at the event will receive a free handbook and rocket kit for launching at a future science camp and get a $25 off the membership fee.

Staff photo by Fritz Busch Washington Learning Center Kindergartener Paige Blake churns cream into butter Friday.

Staff photo by Fritz Busch Washington Learning Center Kindergartener Paige Black churns cream into butter Friday.