Progress 09/15/07 to 09/14/09
Outputs
The overall objective of the Discover Biotechnology in Agriculture project was to promote and strengthen secondary and two-year postsecondary education in agriculture. To measure the accomplishment of this objective, four measureable outcomes were observed, including (1) 200 high school students to be exposed to the application of biotechnology in agriculture through enrollment in related on-line courses (Introduction to Biotechnology - BT 101, Botany with a Laboratory - BIO 141, and Zoology with a Laboratory - BIO 143), participating in educational visits/presentations on biotechnology in agriculture, and receiving related information/ instruction from high school teachers participating in the project; (2) 20 high school teachers to be exposed to the application of biotechnology in agriculture programs through enrolling in BT 101, participating in professional development offerings, and receiving exposure through classroom presentations provided as a result of the project; (3) 100 high school students to be exposed to the application of biotechnology in agriculture programs through enrollment in an academy (summer, Saturday, and/or evening), participating in educational presentations made in the classroom, and receiving information from teachers participating in the project; and (4) 15 high school teachers to be exposed to the application of biotechnology in agriculture programs through enrollment in a summer academy and other professional development offerings. To support successful achievement of the project objective and outcomes, the following six specific products were developed: hybrid, on-line delivery format of BT 101, BIO 141, and BIO 143 (Products 1-3); a video series, entitled Investigating Biotechnology in Agriculture (Product 4); and hands-on summer academies (Products 5-6). Upon completion of the two-year grant project, all products were successfully developed, and all project activities were successfully implemented, resulting in achievement of the proposed outcomes. To this end, three courses, including BT 101, BIO 141, and BIO 143, were developed and offered to area high school students. Likewise, regional high school teachers were exposed to biotechnology in agriculture through enrolling BT 101 and/or participating in other noted project educational outreach and professional development activities. As well, the Investigating Biotechnology in Agriculture video series was widely distributed to high school teachers and students through visits and presentations. Finally, two summer academies, entitled Get Infected with Biotechnology and BioAid: First Response to Bioterrorism, were offered in the summers of 2008 and 2009, respectively. In summary, a total of 1,309 high school students (Outcomes 1 and 3) and 71 high school teachers (Outcomes 2 and 4) were exposed to the application of biotechnology in agriculture, thereby successfully promoting and strengthening secondary and two-year postsecondary education in agriculture. PRODUCTS: Products 1-3: A one-credit hour survey course, Introduction to Biotechnology (BT 101), was developed into an on-line deliverable format and administered to local high school students and teachers participating in agricultural technology and related programs. BT 101 is designed to introduce the student to the biotechnology industry. A historical perspective of agriculture, plant breeding, and DNA technologies is covered. Also, a four-credit hour course, Botany with a Laboratory (BIO 141), was developed into a hybrid deliverable format, with both on-line and classroom applications, and administered to local high school students participating in agricultural technology and related programs. The prime objective of this course is to provide a basic understanding of the anatomy, physiology, and biodiversity of plants with emphasis on life processes, heredity, plant systems, and ecology. Finally, a four-credit hour course, Zoology with a Laboratory (BIO 143), was developed into a hybrid deliverable format, with both on-line and classroom applications, and administered to local high school students participating in agricultural technology and related programs. The prime objective of this course is to provide a basic understanding of the anatomy, physiology, and biodiversity of animals with emphasis on life processes, the cell, development, heredity, body systems, and evolution. Product 4: A video series, Investigating Biotechnology in Agriculture, was developed to accompany the on-line BT 101 course. This four-part series includes a regional agricultural-based show that focuses on issues related to agriculture and biotechnology. Part I is entitled Biotechnology in Our Region and focused on companies in western Kentucky that are currently operating biotechnology-related endeavors. Part II is entitled Cancer Research and Plant-Made Pharmaceuticals and focuses on plant-made pharmaceuticals and cancer research, as applicable to tobacco production. Part III is entitled Into the Future with Soybeans and focuses on the present and future of biotech soybeans and the production of soybean oil. Finally, Part IV is entitled The Importance of Hybrids and focuses on local farmers producing hybrid crops in support of biotechnology research. Products 5-6: Two summer academies were implemented to provide high school students and teachers with hands-on learning experiences in biotechnology and agriculture. The Get Infected with Biotechnology summer academy occurred during year 1. Activities included inoculating tobacco plants with TMV; performing Protein extraction, RNA extraction, Agarose gel electrophoresis, and Polymerase Chain Reaction; and testing soybeans for the Roundup Ready gene. The second academy, BioAid: First Response to Terrorism, occurred during year 2. Developed jointly through a partnership with the University of Louisville Department of Emergency and Protective Medicine, the purpose of the academy was to show the correlation between biotechnology and agriculture though educating and preparing participants to the dynamics associated with a bioterroristic attack in the local food chain. OUTCOMES: The four measurable outcomes listed, as follows, are a culmination of the originally proposed outcomes and the revised scope of work submitted to USDA in February 2009 and subsequently approved: (1) 200 high school students to be exposed to the application of biotechnology in agriculture through enrollment in related on-line courses (Introduction to Biotechnology - BT 101, Botany with a Laboratory - BIO 141, and Zoology with a Laboratory - BIO 143), participating in educational visits/presentations on biotechnology and agriculture, and receiving related information/ instruction from high school teachers participating in the project; (2) 20 high school teachers to be exposed to the application of biotechnology in agriculture programs through enrolling in BT 101, participating in professional development offerings, and receiving exposure through classroom presentations provided as a result of the project; (3) 100 high school students to be exposed to the application of biotechnology in agriculture programs through enrollment in an academy (summer, Saturday, and/or evening), participating in educational presentations made in the classroom, and receiving information from teachers participating in the project; and (4) 15 high school teachers to be exposed to the application of biotechnology in agriculture programs through enrollment in a summer academy and other professional development offerings. 1,309 unduplicated high school students (Outcomes 1 and 3) were exposed to the application of biotechnology in agriculture, thereby successfully addressing the project objective. To this end, sixty-six (66) high school students enrolled in one or more of the three applicable courses, to include BT 101, BIO 141, and/or BIO 143. Likewise, sixty-three (63) high school students participated in a viewing of the Investigating Biotechnology in Agriculture video series produced as a result of the grant. Finally, 1,180 high school students were provided with an opportunity to view the video series through written commitments by high school teachers participating in professional development offerings. Likewise, 71 unduplicated high school teachers (Outcomes 2 and 4) were exposed to the application of biotechnology in agriculture, thereby successfully addressing the project objective. To this end, seven (7) high school teachers enrolled in BT 101. Likewise, forty-seven (47) high school teachers participated in one or both professional development offerings made possible through the grant project. Participating teachers were provided with hands-on kits and associated lesson plans involving biotechnology in agriculture to utilize in the high school classroom setting, as well as copies of the video series produced through the project. Teachers signed written commitments to expose their students to biotechnology applications in agriculture through conducting viewings of the video series in their high school classrooms. Finally, seventeen (17) high school teachers were provided with an opportunity to be exposed to biotechnology in agriculture through classroom presentations made by college biotech staff. DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES: Information about the project has been widely disseminated throughout the target area for the purpose of recruiting students and teachers for participation in project activities. These efforts have included presentations to students at area high schools; presentations at public events, including the Ag Expo 2008, the Discover College Showcase, and the Brescia University College Fair for high school students; advertising in the Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer newspaper, the Owensboro Today magazine, local radio stations, and billboards; speaking to parents at high school junior parent nights; speaking to high school guidance counselors through hosting a counselor luncheon; and sending emails about the project to high school agriculture and science teachers throughout the region. In total, eight (8) area high schools in five (5) western Kentucky counties participated in the project. The Investigating Biotechnology in Agriculture video series was also distributed to counselors and teachers that participated in the Teachers in the Workplace professional development series, hosted by the Greater Owensboro Regional P-16 Alliance. At this event, participants toured area biotechnology companies and learned about the importance of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education in preparing the workforce. Likewise, as described in the previous Outcomes section of this report, the video was distributed at the two professional development offerings conducted through the grant project, as well as through the noted presentations made to high school classrooms by biotechnology staff. As well, copies were provided to local biotechnology and agriculture industries, including Miles Enterprises, Kentucky Bioprocessing, Owensboro Cancer Research Group, Owensboro Grain Company, Wyffels Hybrids, Syngenta, and local farmers. Finally, project information was disseminated at a national level through two venues. First, the grant Project Director, Scott Williams, disseminated project information at the NAAE/ACTE Convention in North Carolina in December 2008. Likewise, OCTC is in its final year of a three-year grant project funded by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) to promote biotechnology in our region. The USDA-funded Discover Biotechnology in Agriculture project was designed to compliment this larger DOL-funded initiative, and three products developed as a result of the USDA project have been submitted to DOL for dissemination to other DOL grantees. To this end, information on the on-line BT 101 course (Product 1) and on conducting a Get Infected with Biotechnology professional development offering (Product 5) will be made available to DOL grantees across the county through wide-spread distribution of a product CD. Likewise the video series produced through the USDA grant will be made available to a national audience on a DOL on-line dissemination tool, Workforce3One. Both dissemination activities are expected to occur in spring 2010. FUTURE INITIATIVES: During the time of this report, the project has officially ended. Two primary activities are anticipated to occur beyond the funding period. First, high school students will continue to participate in the courses that were developed into on-line and hybrid formats as a result of the grant project, to include BT 101, BIO 141, and BIO 143. The latter two courses are now being delivered solely in the hybrid format. Second, high school teachers will continue to be exposed to biotechnology in agriculture through participating in professional development offerings made available through collaborative efforts with the Greater Owensboro Regional Alliance P-16 Council. The Alliance conducts the Teachers in the Workplace professional development offering, noted previously in this report, which will provide a means to continue distribution of the Investigating Biotechnology in Agriculture video series.
Impacts
High school students and teachers in agriculture and related discipline areas were provided with the opportunity to access information on biotechnology and agriculture through several avenues, many of which would not have been possible without federal investment. For example, BT 101 was the first course in the biotechnology and agriculture technology curricula to be offered on-line to high school students, followed by additional on-line opportunities to include BIO 141 and BIO 143. These efforts led to a considerable increase in the number of high school students enrolled in the OCTC biotechnology program. Likewise, the Investigating Biotechnology in Agriculture video series is the first of its kind developed to highlight the western Kentucky regional efforts to promote biotechnology and agriculture. The video allows viewers to virtually enter these companies to see real-life biotechnology applications. As well, the industry leaders that participated in the video provided high school students and teachers, as well as the general public, with expert guidance on the future of biotechnology and its significance to the agriculture industry and the economic development of the region. As well, the hands-on learning that occurred as a result of the two (2) summer academies implemented through the project, as well as the high school classroom presentation made, allowed high school students and teachers to have a deeper understanding of biotechnology, as it relates to agriculture.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
|
Progress 09/15/07 to 09/14/08
Outputs
In the original statement of work, the overall objective of the Discover Biotechnology in Agriculture project was to promote and strengthen secondary and two-year postsecondary education in agriculture. As a result, three specific products were to be developed - an on-line Introduction to Biotechnology (BT 101) course; a video series, entitled Investigating Biotechnology in Agriculture; and a hands-on summer academy. As well, four measureable outcomes were to occur during the two-year grant period, including (1) 200 high school students to be exposed to the application of biotechnology in agriculture through enrollment in BT 101; (2) 20 high school teachers to be exposed to the application of biotechnology in agriculture programs through enrolling in BT 101; (3) 100 high school students to be exposed to the application of biotechnology in agriculture programs through enrollment in the summer academy; and (4) 15 high school teachers to be exposed to the application of biotechnology in agriculture programs through enrollment in a summer academy. During the project report period of September 15, 2007 through September 14, 2008, a project grant team, assigned to assist the project director, has implemented the products proposed in the original statement of work, and as such, project efforts are well underway to successfully achieve the original project objective. To this end, an on-line Introduction to Biotechnology (BT 101) course was developed and marketed during late fall 2007/early spring 2008 and offered to high school students and teachers during the spring 2008 semester. 7 high school students and 4 high school teachers participated in the course. BT 101 was offered again during the fall 2008 semester, with 19 high school students and 3 high school teachers participating. Likewise, production of the Investigating Biotechnology in Agriculture video series began in the spring 2008 semester and was completed during early fall 2008. Finally, a summer academy entitled Get Infected with Biotechnology was offered in the summer of 2008, and was attended by 3 high school teachers. To this end, during the reporting period, twenty-six (26) of the originally estimated 200 high school students have participated in the BT 101 course, as well as 7 of the originally proposed 20 teachers. Although high school student enrollment was low during the first year of the project, the grant team contributes this to the project being newly implemented and expects to achieve higher enrollment numbers during year two. Likewise, enrollment in the first summer academy was low due to only one semester (spring 2008) lapsing prior to it being offered. The grant team is planning to implement additional strategies to reach the proposed number of students and teachers by conducting additional delivery approaches designed to reach more students. Initial planning efforts are underway, and a comprehensive delivery plan will be proposed in writing for approval to the USDA CSREES Project Officer upon its completion (expected January/February 2009). PRODUCTS: Product 1: A one-credit hour survey course, Introduction to Biotechnology (BT 101), was developed into an on-line deliverable format and administered to local high school students and teachers participating in agricultural technology and related programs. BT 101 is designed to introduce the student to the Biotechnology industry. A historical perspective of agriculture, plant breeding, and DNA technologies is covered. Plants (genetically modified organisms, genomics, molecular pharming, etc.) are covered, as well as animals (cloning, transgenics, human genome sequencing, etc.). Forensic DNA technology is discussed, along with the science behind biofuels. Regulatory issues and ethics is a constant theme that runs throughout the entire course. Students that successfully complete the course receive one hour of college credit. A dissemination and marketing plan was also developed and implemented to recruit high school students and teachers to enroll in the course during the grant period. These efforts will continue through the college's Discover College program upon completion of the two-year grant project period. Product 2: A video series, Investigating Biotechnology in Agriculture, was developed to accompany the on-line course. This four-part series includes a regional agricultural-based show that focuses on issues related to agriculture and biotechnology. Part I is entitled Biotechnology in Our Region and focused on companies in western Kentucky that are currently operating biotechnology-related endeavors. Part II is entitled Cancer Research and Plant-Made Pharmaceuticals and focuses on plant-made pharmaceuticals and cancer research, as applicable to tobacco production. Part III is entitled Into the Future with Soybeans and focuses on the present and future of biotech soybeans and the production of soybean oil. Finally, Part IV is entitled The Importance of Hybrids and focuses on local farmers producing hybrid crops in support of biotechnology research. The final product is used as a supplement to the on-line BT 101 course, as well as a dissemination strategy to showcase the project at local, state, and national venues, as appropriate. Product 3: A summer academy was developed and implemented to provide high school students and teachers with hands-on learning experiences in biotechnology and agriculture. The project grant developed the Get Infected with Biotechnology summer academy during year 1 of the project. The purpose of the academy was to further expose area teachers to biotechnology, as related to agriculture. Those participating in the academy experienced basic techniques and used cutting edge tools in OCTC's state-of-the-art biotechnology laboratory and greenhouse. Activities included inoculating tobacco plants with TMV; performing Protein extraction, RNA extraction, Agarose gel electrophoresis, and Polymerase Chain Reaction; and testing soybeans for the Roundup Ready gene. To further support the success of the academy, OCTC agriculture students are hired to assist and will be paid a stipend to compensate them for their efforts. A second summer academy will be conducted in 2009 for participating high school students and teachers. OUTCOMES: Introduction to Biotechnology (BT 101), a one-credit hour survey course, offered by OCTC in the traditional classroom instructional format prior to the implementation of this project, was developed into an on-line course offering. BT 101 is a required course in the college's Associate of Applied Science degree in Biotechnology. Offering the course to students and teachers at the high school level has served to expose those participating to the implications of biotechnology to the agriculture industry, has allowed for the inclusion of biotechnology concepts in the high school curriculum, and has allowed the opportunity for students to participate in an on-line learning opportunity. Accompanying and supporting the alternative delivery of this course, a video series, entitled Investigating Biotechnology in Agriculture, was developed. To this end, Outcome 1 of the project proposes that a total of 200 high school students will be exposed to the application of biotechnology in agriculture programs through enrollment in the on-line offering of BT 101. Likewise, Outcome 2 of the project proposes that a total of 20 high school teachers providing instruction in agriculture or related programs will be exposed to the application of biotechnology in agriculture programs through enrollment in the on-line offering of BT 101. A summer academy was also developed to reinforce the competencies covered in the BT 101 course by providing hands-on learning experiences in a biotechnology laboratory and greenhouse facility, thereby allowing high school students and teachers to develop a deeper understanding of biotechnology as it relates to agriculture. This activity supports Outcome 3, which proposes that 100 high school students participating in agriculture or related programs will be exposed to the application of biotechnology in agriculture programs through enrollment in the summer academy. As well, Outcome 4 proposes that 15 high school teachers providing instruction in agriculture or related programs will be exposed to the application of biotechnology in agriculture programs through enrollment in a summer academy. DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES: Information about the project has been widely disseminated throughout the target area for the purpose of recruiting students and teachers for participation in project activities. These efforts have included presentations to students at area high schools; presentations at public events, including the Ag Expo 2008, the Discover College Showcase, and the Brescia University College Fair for high school students; advertising in the Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer newspaper, the Owensboro Today magazine, local radio stations, and billboards; speaking to parents at high school junior parent nights; speaking to high school guidance counselors through hosting a counselors' luncheon; and sending emails about the project to high school agriculture and science teachers throughout the region. The Investigating Biotechnology in Agriculture video series was also distributed to counselors and teachers that participated in the Teachers in the Workplace professional development series, hosted by the Greater Owensboro Regional P-16 Alliance. At this event, participants toured area biotechnology companies and learned about the importance of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education in preparing the workforce. Participating teachers signed a written commitment to share the video with their classes, resulting in an estimated 1,000 high school students learning about the region's biotechnology industry. Finally, project information will be disseminated at a national level through two venues. First, the grant Project Director, Scott Williams, will disseminate project information at the NAAE/ACTE Convention in North Carolina in December 2008. Likewise, OCTC is in its second year of a three-year grant project funded by the U.S. Department of Labor to promote biotechnology in our region. The CSREES-funded Discover Biotechnology in Agriculture project was designed to compliment this larger DOL-funded initiative, and the three products developed as a result of the CSREES project have been submitted to DOL for dissemination to other DOL grantees. To this end, project products will be available to a national audience on Workforce3One, DOL's on-line dissemination portal, as well as on a DOL-produced DVD product kit that will be widely disseminated throughout the country. FUTURE INITIATIVES: During the time of this report, the project has undergone one year of operation. At this time, the project grant team is unable to provide activities that are planned to occur beyond the funding period. It is expected that this information will be provided in the final report of the project, to be submitted in December 2009.
Impacts
High school agriculture students and teachers have the opportunity to access information on biotechnology and agriculture through an on-line delivery format. Likewise, BT 101 is the first in the biotechnology and agriculture technology curricula to be offered on-line to high school students. It is expected that additional on-line opportunities for high school students in the biotechnology and agriculture areas will follow, leading to a doubling or even tripling of the number of students enrolled in OCTC's biotechnology program during the three to five years. The Investigating Biotechnology in Agriculture video series is the first of its kind developed to highlight the western Kentucky region's efforts to promote biotechnology and agriculture. The video allows viewers to virtually enter these companies to see real-life biotechnology applications. As well, the industry leaders that participated in the video are providing high school students and teachers, as well as the general public, with expert guidance on the future of biotechnology and its significance to the agriculture industry and the economic development of the region. The hands-on learning that will occur as a result of the summer academies implemented through the project will allow high school students and teachers to have a deeper understanding of biotechnology, as it relates to agriculture. Furthermore, these efforts will allow teachers and students to realize the application of the theory learned in class.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
|