Progress 07/15/10 to 07/14/13
Outputs
Target Audience: Our target audience for this reporting period includes 3rd-5th grade teachers. The completed STEM 3-5 grade unit, "Steer Toward STEM: Careers in Animal Agriculture" was printed and posted online for release in late December, 2012. 1,000 copies were printed and nearly all of those have been distributed to date. The method of distribution for printed copies includes: Teacher orders placed on-line or by phone. These orders are mailed to recipients. California Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom (CFAITC)annual teacher conference. One copy mailed to every Agriculture in the Classroom state contact. California Science Teachers Association Conference. CFAITChas an exhibit anda workshop on the STEM 3-5 gradeunit at this conference. California Agriculture Teachers Association annual conference. National Agriculture in the Classroom annual conference. Various career and farm days. Presentations at University Student Teacher Preparatory Programs. Electronic copies of the STEM 3-5 gradeunit, "Steer Toward STEM: Careers in Animal Agriculture" are availablenationwidefor download from the CFAITC website. To date, 564 units have been downloaded. CFAITC also sends a monthly e-newsletter out to all school principals in California. This newsletter announced the release of the new STEM 3-5 grade unit to school administrators and other educators in the state. Changes/Problems: Due to an unprecedented level of special projects occuring in 2011, CFAITC's 25th Silver Anniversary year, coupled withour highestlevel of grant applications being awarded, it became necessary to adjust the production schedule. A no-cost extension was requested and granted in May 2012. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? This project has provided CFAITC with opportunities to hold teacher trainings throughout California. Teacher trainings involve hour-long workshops during which the STEM 3-5 grade lesson techniquesare modeled with participating teachers. In addition to teaching techniques, additional resources, and frequently asked questions about the topicsare addressed during workshops. These workshops were provided to teachers at the annual CFAITC teacher conference in San Diego, California, National Agriculture in the Classroom Conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota, multiple University Student Teacher Preparatory programs throughout the state, and the California Science Teachers Association Conference. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? The "Steer Towards STEM: Careers in Animal Agriculture" 3rd-5th grade unit has been distributed by the following methods: Unit featured in CFAITC's blog, "The Fencepost" Unit advertised to all schools in the state through CFAITC's monthly newsletter, "Cream of the Crop" Unit available for download from CFAITC's website www.LearnAboutAg.org/lessonplans Over 40,000 postcards mailed to educators throughout the state, advertising the new unit Unit distributed at multiple education conferences, farm days, fairs, teacher workshops, and more Unit copies available for order by phone or email from CFAITC What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Through this project, a comprehensive unit of five lessons was created for third through fifth grade students. The lessons focus on the science, technology, engineering, and math involved in animal agriculture and introduce students to new career possibilities while increasing awarenessfor the important role of agriculture in our economy and society. Lessons allow students to approach challenges through the role of real life professionals including agricultural engineers, range managers, animal physiologists, animal nutritionists, and animal geneticists. Lesson plans are easy for teachers to implement in the classroom with inexpensive supplies and clear alignment to current California State Content Standards, including the Common Core Standards. Lessons were developed through a multistep process involving a writing meeting that brought education and industry experts together for collaboration. Lesson drafts were reviewed by technical experts in the animal agriculture field and were pilot tested in classrooms prior to final editing and printing. CFAITC surveyed the first group of teachers to use the lessons in the first few months after its release. The majority of teachers surveyed responded that the lessons engaged their students through active learning, increased their knowledge and appreciation for agriculture, and exposed students to future possibilities for careers in animal agriculture. Additional teachers will be surveyed during our year-end annual CFAITC survey process.
Publications
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2012
Citation:
Steer Towards STEM: Careers in Animal Agriculture
3rd - 5th Grade Unit of Lesson Plans
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Progress 07/15/11 to 07/14/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: A curriculum planning meeting will be held August 1-3, 2012 in Sacramento, CA. At this meeting, collaborating teachers will receive professional development on STEM education and inquiry-based learning. Teachers will also develop a rough draft of the curriculum at the meeting. Following the meeting, the curriculum will be reviewed by animal science and animal production experts. In September and October the lessons will be pilot tested in four California classrooms. On October 26, 2012 the unit will be presented at the statewide Agriculture in the Classroom Conference. By the end of 2012 the lesson will be printed and promoted online. A final report will be provided in June 2013. The goal of the project is to produce a new curriculum unit, for grades three through five, that focuses on science, engineering, technology, and math and agriculture related careers. PARTICIPANTS: Individuals include Judy Culbertson (PI) and Mandi Bottoms (PI). Judy Culbertson provides general oversight to the project, including managing timelines and budgets. Mandi Bottoms manages the curriculum development, pilot testing, and will be the author of the finished project. Collaborators include the following educators: Robin Satnick (Crane Country Day School), Ananda Ilicken (Woodcraft Rangers), Judy Honerkamp (Bauer Speck Elementary School), Shannon Hardewick (Jedediah Smith Elementary School), and Sherrie Taylor Vann (Williams Elementary School). These educators have participated in the curriculum development meetings, and have been an integral part of the design process. TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Due to an unprecedented level of special projects occurring in 2011, during CFAITC's 25th Silver Anniversary year, coupled with an unprecedented level of grant applications being awarded, it became necessary to adjust the production schedule of the work. A no-cost extension was requested and granted in May 2012. The new end-date for the project is July 2013.
Impacts
A new curriculum resource will be available to help students, their teachers, and the public develop an appreciation for the essential role of agriculture in our economy and society. The unit, for grades three through five, focuses on the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) involved in animal agriculture. Careers highlighted include agriculture engineer, range manager, animal physiologist, animal nutritionist, and animal geneticist. The lesson plans meet the Common Core State Standards, Content Standards for California Public Schools, and Next Generation Science Standards. This project aims to equip educators with a hands-on teaching tool that fosters an appreciation for agriculture, reinforces STEM skills and abilities, and creates an awareness of agriculture-related careers.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 07/15/10 to 07/14/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The work schedule to develop STEM curriculum for grades 3-5 has been revised to begin in December 2011 and be completed in June 2013. A curriculum planning meeting will be held in January 2012 at which time a rough draft will be developed. In March and April the rough draft will be reviewed and edited by industry experts. In May, the unit will be pilot tested. In June, the unit will be aligned to the State Content Standards. In August the layout will be completed and then printed in September. In September through June 2013, and beyond, the unit will be promoted and provided to educators. In January of 2013 a survey will be conducted to evaluate the unit. A final report will be provided in June of 2013.This grant will produce a new curricular unit for grades 3-5 with a focus on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). In addition to an initial printing of 500 hard copies, the unit will be available for download from CFAITC's website, listed in our Teacher Resource Guide and Resources for Learning CD, presented to teachers attending our annual teacher conference, presented to teachers attending the California Science Teachers Conference in 2012, and presented to educators attending the 2013 National Agriculture in the Classroom Conference.The unit will remain part of our full complement of resources, promoted and distributed for several years into the future. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
A new curricular resource will be available help students, their teachers, and the public develop an appreciation for the essential role of agriculture in our economy and society and to prepare students for STEM-related agriculture career opportunities through the integration of STEM and agriculture education. This project seeks to equip educators with an inquiry-based, hands-on teaching tool that incorporates STEM discipline into state-mandated curriculum, while fostering an appreciation for agriculture among students, improving the performance of American students in math and science on national and international proficiency assessments, and creating an awareness for agricultural careers.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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