Sydney Mathis, left, reacts as she and Mary Elizabeth Ballard dissect owl droppings during a class at Beechwood Elementary. The course, taught by Janice Strickland, is a partnership with Delta State University’s Center for Science and Environmental Education. Students were learning about the food chain. Sydney is the daughter of Scoot and Andrea Mathis, and Mary Elizabeth is the daughter of Jerry and Elizabeth Ballard. (Meredith Spencer*The Vicksburg Post)