Progress 07/01/09 to 06/30/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The ACUS project at Pierce College conducted output efforts to fulfill objectives and to expose high school students to careers in agriculture industries. The project administrator organized and conducted four planning and outreach meetings with high school counselors, Veterinary and Environmental Science Magnet Coordinator, plant and animal science faculty, Principal, Veterinary Science Chairs and faculty. Project administrator also promoted project to industry bussinesses which included California Wildlife Center, Underwood Family Farms, Veterinary Specialists of the Valley, Los Angeles Zoo and The Farm/Rent A Pony Company(Reseda California). EVENTS: Project hosted an Exotic Animal exhibit where trained college students taught ACUS students about 15 different animal types which included hawks, boars, monkeys and possums. This event invited community members as well as college Presidents within the community college district. The FARMWALK event was used to reach students and local community. Twenty ACUS students and 125 others attended and learned about farming, livestock, grazing and animal safety. SERVICES: Project established an animal science and a plant science course at Canoga Park High School. These two courses enrolled 25 Veterinary & Environmental Science students. Students were in class tutoring services were conducted by teachers and were available to each student enrolled. Each course was promoted throughout the high school, Pierce College and surrounding community in order to reach diverse groups of people. PRODUCT: Photo's of students involved in project activities were shared via email with communities of interest. PARTICIPANTS: Below you will find individuals who contributed to the success of this project. Each individual collaborated to ensure objectives were being met and students were receiving proper skills and knowledge in order to build a foundation that would benefit them and their respective communities. Outside of the project Director, each individual's involvement was not a direct expenditure to the grant. COLLABORATORS & CONTACTS: Richard South-Pierce College Chair of Agriculture(Principal Investigator) Jody La Chance-Pierce College Instructor, Plant Science(Planning) Carol Kozeracki-Pierce College Dean of Agriculture(Planning) Jose Luis Fernandez-Pierce College Dean of Career & Technical Education/Agriculture(Planning) Michael Flowers-Pierce College Director of Career & Technical Education/USDA Grants(Director/Coordinator) Michelle Evans-Canoga Park High School Teacher,Animal Science(Planning) Sarah Ishida-Canoga Park High School Teachr,Plant Science(Planning) Suzette Rosso-Canoga Park High School Counselor(Planning/Counseled students) Jason Carbonell-Canoga Park High School Brian York-Canoga Park High School Coordinator, Veterinary & Environmental Science(Planning/Coordinated recruitment of students and field trips) Eric Dettenmaier- Canoga Park High School Liz White-Pierce College Instructor Veterinary Tech Program(Planning/Guest presenter to animal science class) Leland Shapiro-Pierce College Chair of Agriculture & Natural Resource(Planning/Arranged Exotic Animal presentation and farm tour/Established animal and plant science courses at Canoga High School/Recruited instructors) Len Markowitz-Pierce College Instructor Plant Science(taught Arboriculture 1 course to Canoga High School ACUS students) Debbie Swarens-Pierce College Instructor Animal Science(Taught Orientation to Veterinary Science course to Canoga Park High School students) Nick Maccorone-Canoga Park High School(Planning) Steve McGee-Canoga Park High School(Planning) Carole Giacona-Canoga Park High School(Planning) PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS: Canoga Park High School Veterinary & Environmental Science Magnet and Agriculture programs recruited students, reserved rooms for the animal and plant science course to be taught, assisted with field trip logistics and scheduling. Los Angeles Unified School District and Los Angeles Community College District both allowed High School and College to participate in the USDA project. Moorpark College allowed their college students to share and teach ACUS students about their Exotic Animals and program. The Veterinary Specialists of the Valley allowed ACUS student to tour their facility and teach them about animal care, emergency procedures and career opportunities within the industry. The Pierce College Agriculture department invited ACUS student to their FARMWALK to experience animals,cow milking,wool spinning,sheep shearing,farm tour,petting zoo,equestrian demos and exotic animals. The Boys and Girls Club contributed by providing transportation for field trips to Pierce College and to the Veterinary Specialist of the Valley hospital. TARGET AUDIENCES: The target population for the project included students who are exposed to socially, economically or educationally disadvantaged communities. Canoga Park High School is in a community with these characteristics. The demographic of Canoga Park is a population of 49,000 with 51% being Hispanic. 40% of the overall population has an educational attainment of less than high school. Out of the 49,000 residents, 17,866 have a high school diploma or less. The average income is $50,000 with an average of household of 3(LA Times/City Data). Our ACUS group and target communities fit this demographic. 13 out of 25 students who enrolled in our Plant and animal science classes were Hispanic. By targeting this population it allowed the project to reach racial and ethnic minorities. The project allowed students to participate in college level science courses which included laboratory and hands on instruction. Students received science based learning through college instruction and community professionals. The project also purchased books for students in order to reduce financial obligations to parents. The results of the project's outreach efforts contributed to more than 145 participants benefitting from our animals and plant science courses, field trips, presentations and FARMWALK events. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
Developing a partnership with a Canoga Park High School was a great resource for the project. Their agriculture programs aligned with Pierce College's programs produced positive outputs. Project was able to reach veterinary/agriculture students and provide classroom instruction in animal and plant science. Another project outcome was the exposure students received during the field trips to Pierce College and to the Veterinary Specialist of the Valley Hospital. At Pierce College, students learned about the history of Pierce College's agriculture department as well as about farming, crops, grazing, barn usage and livestock. The department Chair provided students with valuable information and encouraged them to enroll additional agriculture courses. During the visit to the Veterinary hospital students learned about internal medicine, various surgery procedures,radiology, met with Veterinarians and received information on levels of education for various career pathways within the veterinary industry. This field trip impacted students greatly because this was their first encounter with a veterinary hospital and felt sympathetic for the injured and sick dogs. In conjunction with field trips, students gained additional knowledge during their Animal Science 401 & Plant Science 716 courses. Student's were impacted by these courses resulting in a change in knowledge and behavior. For instance, animal science curriculum taught laws and regulations, euthanasia, terminology, job prospects(DOL data), career options and provided industry professional as guest speakers. The plant science curriculum included safety measures with power tools,proper care of tree/shrubs, soils, mulch, tree biology, pruning video and career opportunities with the arboriculture industries. As a result of these course students have become more knowledgeable and have the ability to teach their community about proper animal and plant care.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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