Community and Curiosity Meet at the Cider Press

Marcus Kassick, Community Engagement Coordinator [TerraCorps]

We are thrilled to share highlights from an exciting fall season of apple cider pressing at community events like the Cambridge Science Festival, as well as some at our partner schools. These events bring students, families, and community members together for hands-on fun and a chance to learn about how apple cider is made! Along the way, we explored connections between food, seasons, STEM, and teamwork. Whether cranking the press or tasting the fruits of their labor, everyone left with smiles and a deeper appreciation for the natural processes that shape our world.

Garden Educator Hazel with some of her students

Science You Can Taste

The Cambridge Science Festival created the perfect setting for cider pressing, where curiosity was in full bloom. The wooden apple press was a highlight of the festival, drawing in families and students curious to see how it all worked. Participants eagerly took turns mashing  apples and cranking the press to extract every last drop of fresh cider. It was a team effort—and the reward of tasting that sweet, tangy juice was well worth it!

Mashing up the apples

Cranking the press

But the cider press wasn’t just about making a tasty treat—it was also a great way to engage with the community in simple, hands-on learning. As families and students worked together to mash  apples and crank the press, we took the opportunity to explain how the different parts of the press work while sharing the mission of CitySprouts of how we cultivate curiosity and wonder in students through hands-on science learning in their own schoolyard gardens.

Throughout the day, we connected  with people about how cider pressing not only fits into seasonal traditions for CitySprouts, but it’s also a great way to see STEM in action. A highlight of the event was a visit from Mayor Denise Simmons of Cambridge, who rolled up her sleeves and joined in on the fun mentioning that cider pressing was her favorite part of the whole festival! Her visit reminded everyone how shared activities like these not only introduce hands-on learning but also create moments of connection between neighbors, educators, and families.

Denise Simmons, Mayor of Cambridge learns about the press!

Cider Fun at the Rafael Hernández K-8 School

After the excitement of the Cambridge Science Festival, we were excited  to bring the cider press to the Boston area to the Rafael Hernández K-8 School. The school courtyard was alive with energy as students and families gathered around the cider press, eager to experience the joy of making fresh cider together. For many of the students, this was their first time using a cider press, and their enthusiasm made the whole experience even more special.

Before diving into the pressing, we gave a quick introduction to how the cider press works. Students learned about the different parts of the press, the first stage of chopping the apples, the second step of mashing the apples, and the final step of pressing and trying the fresh cider!

Beyond making cider, the event was a chance for students and families to connect with teachers and each other, building a sense of community. We also talked about what to do with the leftover apple mush, encouraging students to think about composting and how it ties into sustainable practices—one of the many lessons reinforced by CitySprouts’ presence at the school.

The cider press at the Hernández School was a perfect  blend of fun, hands-on learning, and teamwork, giving everyone a memorable taste of autumn. We look forward to bringing more hands-on activities to students throughout the school year.

Higginson-Lewis K-8 School Pressing with Gardener Milly

The cider press then moved to another Boston school! At the Higginson-Lewis K-8 School, cider pressing had an extra special twist, thanks to Garden Educator Milly. After students went on a field trip to a local orchard, where they enjoyed a day of apple picking, Gardener Milly saw the perfect opportunity to put those apples to good use—by pressing cider!

Students gathered with Gardener Milly and a few CitySprouts staff to learn how to run a cider press. Throughout the activity, students eagerly worked together in teams, helping each other with the cutting, mashing, and pressing of the apples. Finally, they were excited to try the cider, marveling at the taste of the juice made from apples they had picked themselves. The day was more than just outdoor classroom time—it was a way to connect their field trip experience back to the school garden.

Celebrating Cider Pressing Success and Looking to the Future

The cider pressing events at the Cambridge Science Festival, the Rafael Hernández K-8 School, and the Higginson-Lewis K-8 School have been wonderful ways to bring students, families, and community members together. From festival-goers cranking the press with excitement to students savoring cider made from apples they picked themselves, each event has been filled with learning, laughter, connection and meaningful experiences that extend far beyond a classroom.

Thank you to everyone who joined us at these events. We look forward to more cider-pressing fun and shared experiences in the weeks to come!