Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
The proposed project's main purpose is to increase enrollment of rural women and minorities (WAMs) in plant/horticultural sciences through train-the-trainer model. The project will develop and deliver plant/horticulture science curriculum for Colorado vocational agriculture teachers (Ag. teachers), especially women teacher from rural areas. In year 1-3, a one-week intense residential training will be provided to Ag. teachers and in year 2-3, additional field trips of Colorado Horticulture will be provided to Ag. teachers who have completed the residential trainings. The overall goal of increasing rural WAMs in plant/horticultural science could be realized through the project's target objectives: 1) to equip the agricultural teachers with necessary horticulture knowledge, skills, competence, and confidence; 2) to prepare them to teach horticulture effectively to students in their classes; 3) to increase high school dual enrollment horticulture class offerings; 4) to increase enrollment of WAMs from rural areas in horticulture and other plant sciences.This project will mainly focus on two need areas, Student Recruitment, Retention, Mentoring and Educational Equity, and Curriculum Design, Materials Development, and Library Resources. Project partners may include CSU Alliance Partnership, CSU Office of Engagement and Extension, Colorado Vocational Ag. teachers Association, and at least one high school (Trinidad; others will be determined during the grant implementation with participants). Other partners will be identified during the trainings. The number of students supported is estimated at 78.The primary anticipated audience of this project is Ag. teachers, especially women teachers from rural Colorado with high minority student populations, and the secondary anticipated audience is students in those Ag. teachers' classes.
Animal Health Component
(N/A)
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
(N/A)
Developmental
(N/A)
Goals / Objectives
The proposed project's main purpose is to increase enrollment of rural women and minorities (WAMs) in plant/horticultural sciences through train-the-trainer model. The project will develop and deliver plant/horticulture science curriculum for Colorado vocational agriculture teachers (Ag. teachers), especially women teacher from rural areas. In year 1-3, a one-week intense residential training will be provided to Ag. teachers and in year 2-3, additional field trips of Colorado Horticulture will be provided to Ag. teachers who have completed the residential trainings. The overall goal of increasing rural WAMs in plant/horticultural science could be realized through the project's target objectives: 1) to equip the agricultural teachers with necessary horticulture knowledge, skills, competence, and confidence; 2) to prepare them to teach horticulture effectively to students in their classes; 3) to increase high school dual enrollment horticulture class offerings; 4) to increase enrollment of WAMs from rural areas in horticulture and other plant sciences.This project will mainly focus on two need areas, Student Recruitment, Retention, Mentoring and Educational Equity, and Curriculum Design, Materials Development, and Library Resources. Project partners may include CSU Alliance Partnership, CSU Office of Engagement and Extension, Colorado Vocational Ag. teachers Association, and at least one high school (Trinidad; others will be determined during the grant implementation with participants). Other partners will be identified during the trainings. The number of students supported is estimated at 78.
Project Methods
To accomplish the project's target objectives (section a.i.), the train-the-trainer curriculum will be developed after award notification and promotional materials will be created. A 1-week training for Ag. teachers will be promoted through multiple channels, including CSU Alliance Partnership, CSU Office of Engagement and Extension, and Colorado Vocational Agriculture Teachers Association. The 1-week training with hands-on component offered to twenty-six Ag. teachers on CSU campus in July will, to equip the agricultural teachers with necessary horticulture knowledge, skills, competence, and confidence (Objective 1) and to prepare them to teach horticulture effectively to students in their classes (Objective 2). Partnership will be established with existing and new rural high schools to offer (more) dual enrollment opportunities to increase high school dual enrollment horticulture class offerings (Objective 3), and to increase enrollment of women and minorities from rural areas in horticulture and other plant sciences (Objective 4).The first-year participants will be evaluated on their experience (e.g., training timing, location, and subject matter area), which will be incorporated in developing the next year's promotional material and training curriculum. In addition to all first-year activities, twenty-six participants from the first two cohorts will be recruited to participate in a 1-week Colorado Horticulture Field Trip. Field trip stops may include seven of the ten Colorado Agricultural Research Centers, where horticulture is a main component, and horticulture businesses within close proximity of these centers. These field trips will be a great tool that we can use to provide every participant with real-world hands-on experiences and an opportunity to explore and discover new information, to allow participants to be exposed to new ideas and perspectives, and to develop a deeper understanding of the material they are studying in classrooms and gain a greater appreciation for the topics. Year 3 will repeat Year 2 activities, and twenty-six participants from all three cohorts will be recruited to participate in a 1-week Colorado Horticulture Field Trip.