Progress 09/01/23 to 08/31/24

Outputs
Target Audience:In our first year (September 2023-2024) of funding we proposed to: Goal 1. Prepare and implement Agriculture Microbiome Program (AMP) advertisement, recruitment, application process and website construction; Goal 2. Hire AMP graduate and undergraduate students; Goal 3. Prepare all program evaluation material and procedures; and Goal 4. Prepare AMP summer and virtual module curriculum, materials, and set up campus room and board. Status of goal 1. 1. We have prepared an OSU AMP logo with OSU brand management and a AMP website https://agriculture.okstate.edu/departments-programs/biochemistry/osu-agriculture-microbiome-program/ which will provide access to, and return of, all documents required for recruitment and the AMP application process for student and STEM teacher participants. Qualtrics will be used to collect applications and required forms for the program (https://okstatecasnr.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_42bEu0Fa8t8Skg6). We are in the process of promoting the AMP through; OSU extension and county educators, a school superintendent listserv, a science and agriculture teacher listserv, and via social media channels of OSU Extension, 4-H, the Ferguson College of Agriculture, and through the participating departments. Status of goal 2. 1. We have hired 2 Ph.D. agricultural education students. Benjamin Fakunle (M.S. Purdue, hired on 8/15/24, anticipated graduation 5/27). Benjamin will be working to recruit, select, and onboard students and STEM teachers for the AMP program. He will work with the science and education review team to develop and refine content for the AMP program. Benjamin will help students prepare presentations and evaluation tools to determine their community's perception of their AMP presentations. Shane Wetzel (Hired on 8/1/24, anticipated graduation 5/27). Shane has been teaching agricultural education for 24 years in New Mexico and Idaho. His will help refine AMP science, presentation and evaluation content to make sure that it is age-appropriate for AMP students, and he will prepare AMP students for their public outreach presentations and evaluations. Shane will employ his expertise to develop online modules and corresponding student learning activities. In addition to content preparation and development, Shane will help with AMP program operations and certain undergraduate student worker onboarding and supervision. 2. Since our timeline has changed due to the new funding start date of September 1, 2023, we will hire undergraduates before the 1st AMP program begins in April 2025. We have identified a number of undergraduates who are interested in these positions, and intend to hire 3 undergraduates in spring 2025 to work with science content members who are preparing for the hands-on authentic research experience all AMP participants will participate in. Status of goal 3. 1. We have prepared all AMP participant evaluation material and procedures which will be used to analyze participant learning outcomes and AMP perceptions using pre- and post-test designs along with formative and summative assessments. These evaluation materials were prepared with the full input of the science content, communication and extension education teams, and were critically analyzed for age-appropriateness by the science content review team. All of this material was prepared with the guidance of the OSU IRB committee who approved our evaluation materials (Application Number: IRB-24-204). We have also purchased a Swivl Mirror which is a stand-alone reflection tool that allows us to record AMP participants and instructors in order to analyze individual or group reflection. AMP content will be used to customize reflection prompts and interview questions in order to maximize student, STEM teacher, and AMP team leader engagement and data collection throughout the program. Status of goal 4. 1. We have outlined the tentative summer camp; however it is likely changes will occur in order to fit all the material we will teach into the 5-day time frame. We have added a number of extracurricular activities around Stillwater to improve student learning outcomes and to enhance their overall experience. We are also in the process of outlining the pre-camp asynchronous virtual module science curriculum and activities. We have recorded most of the science and presentation skill content videos for our pre-camp virtual modules on subjects such as: introduction to AMP and instructors; impacting your community with an AMP presentation; DNA sequencingand PCR, highly conserved molecules, microbes, microbe isolation and microscopy, human microbiome research, cow microbiome research, plant and soil microbiome research, burying beetle biology, and burying beetle microbiome research. All of this content has been scrutinized for age appropriateness by the science content review team. 2. As we organize the AMP summer camp program, we are preparing a list of all molecular biology kits, powdered agar media and broth, inoculating needles and plate spreaders, pipettor sets, plastic petri dishes, plant growth materials, chemicals, materials for burying beetle colony maintenance and experiments, to purchase. We have purchased 10 Olympus CX23 binocular microscopes to support the AMP program. In addition we will purchase 60 foldscopes for an additional home exercise for AMP program participants developed by Drs Wardlaw and Mattison. "How to videos" will be made to aid the students in the process on utilizing these instruments. During the exercise, students will utilize foldscopes to view prepared slides that will teach them the foldscope system and viewing mechanisms. After learning how to use the apparatus, they will prepare their own slides of plant tissue and they will learn wet mounting techniques with safe household samples of their own choosing (e.g. soil, phone swabs, pond water etc.). There will be a photo contest on Canvas that will encourage collaboration and competition as the participants explore the microscopic world. 3. AMP summer program rooms/beds/linens etc. for the 25 participants have been secured and is within budget. We have developed a catering plan and received quotes to cover meals/snacks for the AMP participants when they are on campus. Additional activities associated and supported by the grant. 1. We have added Dr. Asley Mattison as a team member. Dr. Mattison is a newly hired tenure-track faculty member in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology with an 80% teaching and 20% extension appointment. Dr. Mattison has helped organize all scientific content and program materials and will participate in publication/presentation preparation and will be a Co-PI on the next grant written to sustain the project in the future. Dr. Mattison utilized the AMP funded microscopes to engage 7th-12th graders in a 'Microbe Mystery' workshop at 4H Roundup. In the program students were introduced to various types of microbes. The microscopes played a key role in observing cellular level characteristics and interpreting Gram stain results. Approximately 30 students attended the workshop which proved successful. 2. Dr. Eck used the AMP-funded microscopes in a high school agriscience teacher training event that focused on novel animal science curriculum designed to improve teacher programs, STEM integration, and student engagement. The microscopes were used to investigate a variety of feed stuffs, animal fecal samples, animal semen samples, and animal cell slides.Twenty-four high school agriscience teachers from 11 states attended the workshop which was well attended and appreciated. Changes/Problems:2. Since our timeline has changed due to the new funding start date of September 1, 2023, we will hire undergraduates before the 1st AMP program begins in April 2025. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Nothing Reported How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Nothing Reported What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? In our first year (September 2023-2024) of funding we proposed to: Goal 1. Prepare and implement Agriculture Microbiome Program (AMP) advertisement, recruitment, application process and website construction; Goal 2. Hire AMP graduate and undergraduate students; Goal 3. Prepare all program evaluation material and procedures; and Goal 4. Prepare AMP summer and virtual module curriculum, materials, and set up campus room and board. Status of goal 1. 1. We have prepared an OSU AMP logo with OSU brand management and a AMP website https://agriculture.okstate.edu/departments-programs/biochemistry/osu-agriculture-microbiome-program/ which will provide access to, and return of, all documents required for recruitment and the AMP application process for student and STEM teacher participants. Qualtrics will be used to collect applications and required forms for the program (https://okstatecasnr.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_42bEu0Fa8t8Skg6). We are in the process of promoting the AMP through; OSU extension and county educators, a school superintendent listserv, a science and agriculture teacher listserv, and via social media channels of OSU Extension, 4-H, the Ferguson College of Agriculture, and through the participating departments. Status of goal 2. 1. We have hired 2 Ph.D. agricultural education students. Benjamin Fakunle (M.S. Purdue, hired on 8/15/24, anticipated graduation 5/27). Benjamin will be working to recruit, select, and onboard students and STEM teachers for the AMP program. He will work with the science and education review team to develop and refine content for the AMP program. Benjamin will help students prepare presentations and evaluation tools to determine their community's perception of their AMP presentations. Shane Wetzel (Hired on 8/1/24, anticipated graduation 5/27). Shane has been teaching agricultural education for 24 years in New Mexico and Idaho. His will help refine AMP science, presentation and evaluation content to make sure that it is age-appropriate for AMP students, and he will prepare AMP students for their public outreach presentations and evaluations. Shane will employ his expertise to develop online modules and corresponding student learning activities. In addition to content preparation and development, Shane will help with AMP program operations and certain undergraduate student worker onboarding and supervision. 2. Since our timeline has changed due to the new funding start date of September 1, 2023, we will hire undergraduates before the 1st AMP program begins in April 2025. We have identified a number of undergraduates who are interested in these positions, and intend to hire 3 undergraduates in spring 2025 to work with science content members who are preparing for the hands-on authentic research experience all AMP participants will participate in. Status of goal 3. 1. We have prepared all AMP participant evaluation material and procedures which will be used to analyze participant learning outcomes and AMP perceptions using pre- and post-test designs along with formative and summative assessments. These evaluation materials were prepared with the full input of the science content, communication and extension education teams, and were critically analyzed for age-appropriateness by the science content review team. All of this material was prepared with the guidance of the OSU IRB committee who approved our evaluation materials (Application Number: IRB-24-204). We have also purchased a Swivl Mirror which is a stand-alone reflection tool that allows us to record AMP participants and instructors in order to analyze individual or group reflection. AMP content will be used to customize reflection prompts and interview questions in order to maximize student, STEM teacher, and AMP team leader engagement and data collection throughout the program. Status of goal 4. 1. We have outlined the tentative summer camp; however it is likely changes will occur in order to fit all the material we will teach into the 5-day time frame. We have added a number of extracurricular activities around Stillwater to improve student learning outcomes and to enhance their overall experience. We are also in the process of outlining the pre-camp asynchronous virtual module science curriculum and activities. We have recorded most of the science and presentation skill content videos for our pre-camp virtual modules on subjects such as: introduction to AMP and instructors; impacting your community with an AMP presentation; DNA sequencingand PCR, highly conserved molecules, microbes, microbe isolation and microscopy, human microbiome research, cow microbiome research, plant and soil microbiome research, burying beetle biology, and burying beetle microbiome research. All of this content has been scrutinized for age appropriateness by the science content review team. 2. As we organize the AMP summer camp program, we are preparing a list of all molecular biology kits, powdered agar media and broth, inoculating needles and plate spreaders, pipettor sets, plastic petri dishes, plant growth materials, chemicals, materials for burying beetle colony maintenance and experiments, to purchase. We have purchased 10 Olympus CX23 binocular microscopes to support the AMP program. In addition we will purchase 60 foldscopes for an additional home exercise for AMP program participants developed by Drs Wardlaw and Mattison. "How to videos" will be made to aid the students in the process on utilizing these instruments. During the exercise, students will utilize foldscopes to view prepared slides that will teach them the foldscope system and viewing mechanisms. After learning how to use the apparatus, they will prepare their own slides of plant tissue and they will learn wet mounting techniques with safe household samples of their own choosing (e.g. soil, phone swabs, pond water etc.). There will be a photo contest on Canvas that will encourage collaboration and competition as the participants explore the microscopic world. 3. AMP summer program rooms/beds/linens etc. for the 25 participants have been secured and is within budget. We have developed a catering plan and received quotes to cover meals/snacks for the AMP participants when they are on campus. Additional activities associated and supported by the grant. 1. We have added Dr. Asley Mattison as a team member. Dr. Mattison is a newly hired tenure-track faculty member in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology with an 80% teaching and 20% extension appointment. Dr. Mattison has helped organize all scientific content and program materials and will participate in publication/presentation preparation and will be a Co-PI on the next grant written to sustain the project in the future. Dr. Mattison utilized the AMP funded microscopes to engage 7th-12th graders in a 'Microbe Mystery' workshop at 4H Roundup. In the program students were introduced to various types of microbes. The microscopes played a key role in observing cellular level characteristics and interpreting Gram stain results. Approximately 30 students attended the workshop which proved successful. 2. Dr. Eck used the AMP-funded microscopes in a high school agriscience teacher training event that focused on novel animal science curriculum designed to improve teacher programs, STEM integration, and student engagement. The microscopes were used to investigate a variety of feed stuffs, animal fecal samples, animal semen samples, and animal cell slides.Twenty-four high school agriscience teachers from 11 states attended the workshop which was well attended and appreciated.

Publications