Progress 09/01/10 to 08/31/13
Outputs
Target Audience: The target audiences reached by our efforts include area high schools and middle schools to encourage participation in the Parallel Enrollment and other pathways programs, trade associations to promote the program, local green businesses to create student internship opportunities and job placement opportunities and four-year institutions to ensure curriculum alignment and clear transfer pathways. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? The new curriculum combines lecture and practical lab opportunities to increase students’ knowledge and experience in greening techniques. The native garden, Living Wall and Green Roof developed through this grant initiative provide students with valuable hands-on experience. Additionally, exercises embedded in the Introduction to Sustainable Horticulture course offer students the opportunity to gain valuable research skills. During this course students are required to research valid sources to identify the best species for improving interior air quality as well as researching other topics such as invasive species for landscaping. The hands- on activities offered in the new curriculum reinforce and expand on current understandings. The computer aided design component of the curriculum that will be launched this spring will add to these skills and better prepare our students for future study in the field as well as placement in jobs in the industry. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? CCBC has established partnerships with trade associations and with local green businesses to promote the program and to increase job placement opportunities for students. The Maryland Agriculture Foundation has been instrumental in disseminating information about the program and initiating partnerships with farming clubs, non-profits and other groups within the larger horticulture community. The University of Maryland Extension distributes the schedule of classes through a variety of electronic and social media venues. The Maryland Horticulture Society distributes promotional materials at and invites CCBC Sustainable Horticulture students to participate in the Maryland their evening lectures series. CCBC continues to offer credit for cooperative or internship opportunities. Throughout this reporting period CCBC has increased its outreach to local greening firms/companies. During this reporting period 16 students have entered into a cooperative agreement and have been awarded credits for their work. 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 grant CCBC has implemented a number of strategies to increase enrollment including acquisition of new instructional tools, redesigning curriculum, revising the program schedule, designing updated promotional tools, conducting targeted outreach activities and aligning with industry leaders to increase job placement opportunities. As a result, CCBC has reversed the downward trend in enrollment, particularly among non-traditional students and generated regional visibility for its Sustainable Horticulture program. Over the past three (3) semesters participation among low-income students has increased by five percent. Grant funds were used to acquire valuable instructional tools including Pro Landscape, a computer aided landscape design program as well as staff training on the new system,installation of a green roof andan interior and exterior green wall; along with the installation of a native species demonstration garden. These tools help build CCBC’s capacity to redesign and strengthen its Sustainable Horticulture course offers. As part of the new Sustainable Horticulture course offerings, “Introduction to Sustainable Horticulture” is now the standard introductory course and covers many gardening and greening topics. This course includes lectures augmented by hands-on lab exercises that introduce students to organic gardening, Naturescaping, the roll of plants in watershed protection, soils, green roof and green wall design, installation of plants, as well as propagation and environmental design. The native garden, established as part of this grant initiative, is used throughout the class to demonstrate sustainable gardening practices. Mulching, composting, organic weed control, invasive species removal, and garden design are topics also explored. During the fall and spring semesters of 2012 a new course, Green Roof and Green Wall, was added to the course schedule introducing students to the latest technology in the field. As part of the class the students designed and planted an interior Living Wall and an exterior green retaining wall, using SmartSlope technology. Students then built and planted a demonstrative green roof complete with an interpretive sign. These student projects were reported in the Baltimore Sun and other local publications. These new additions to the program are utilized in the Introduction to Sustainable Horticulture class and shown to all primary and secondary students touring the campus. In spring 2013 CCBC reduced the credit requirements for an Associate of Science degree in Sustainable Horticulture from 69 to 60. This will allow students to efficiently complete the coursework while adhering to industry standards and collegiate norms. CCBC worked with the Horticulture Advisory group and faculty to insure that these changes will not affect the programmatic quality and will continue to meet rigorous industry standards. In addition, CCBC has reviewed the curriculum in terms of transferability with the University of Maryland, College Park where many of our students transfer. To enrich the program and offer standard training in the field, CCBC purchased and received training in Pro Landscape, a computer aided landscape design program. The first computer course will be offered in Spring, 2014. CCBC has three main campuses and two extension centers. In the recent past, the Horticulture program offerings have primarily been restricted to evening courses held on the Dundalk campus. The schedule was planned to accommodate people who currently work in the horticulture field. CCBC has expanded program offerings to both day and evening classes held on all three of CCBC’s main campuses and two extension centers. CCBC designed and produced two program specific videos, a five-minute video and a two-minute video. The five-minute video is posted on the college website and is distributed with all digital correspondence related to the program. The two-minute video was aired on the local TV network as part of a “Program of the Week” segment. Other promotional products designed under this grant include a program brochure, banner and pencils and pens announcing the new name of the program to be distributed during special events, campus tours and through outreach to area high schools. Outreach activities targeting area high schools and middle schools were conducted throughout this reporting period. Beginning in fall 2012, as part of a standard college tour offered by CCBC Admissions, area high school students now visit the native gardens and are introduced to the green technologies developed through this grant initiative. Since that time, ten groups of approximately 25 students each from the Pathways program, a program for eighth graders from neighboring Baltimore County Middle Schools, and three groups of approximately 25 each from the Gateway program, a program for high school sophomore students, were introduced to the Sustainable Horticulture program with academic and career opportunities highlighted. Over 75 students from area high schools participated in in two Career Day events hosted by CCBC’s Sustainable Horticulture program. The event began with a presentation illustrating the concepts of “greening,” highlighting course offerings and career opportunities available in the field. Students participated in an exercise where they were introduced to botany and plant morphology using a simple dichotomous key and a landscape design project which emphasized native plantings. Participants completed their day with a tour of the grounds where they were introduced to the newly designed labyrinth and native garden, Green Roof, and Living Wall and helped plant the exterior living wall. An analysis of pre- and post-test responses revealed that students, whom at first knew nothing about the greening industry, gained greater insight into career opportunities in the field. Following the career day activities the program director was invited to attend an environmental club meeting to acknowledge the students’ academic work they completed during career day. CCBC presented participants with a certificate to honor their work, achievement and newly gained knowledge. During this reporting period CCBC initiated a Parallel Enrollment partnership with Dundalk High School, the first student interns began in October 2013. Students in the school’s Environmental Science program participate in guest lectures by CCBC Sustainable Horticulture faculty, tour CCBC’s facilities and participate in classroom activities. CCBC is initiating a similar partnership with Sparrows Point High School, Baltimore County’s environmental science magnet school. In spring 2013, the program experienced a 23% increase in the number of classes taken and a 7% increase in student enrollment. Enrollment trends have shifted to an increased enrollment in spring versus fall. It is surmised that the redesigned Sustainable Horticulture program attracts students from the design build and landscape maintenance industries. This industry experiences downtime is during the months of January to May. Where in the past the program attracted students from the nursery field and the downtime for this industry is in the fall. The new curriculum is also attracting urban farmers and enthusiasts who are energy conscious and wish to live their lives more sustainably. These individuals are the main population that enrolls in the day time classes. The quality of CCBC’s Sustainable Horticulture program is reflected through our students’ achievement. Many of our students have successfully distinguished themselves in advancing their academic and career goals. Particularly of note, two students were recently accepted and awarded transfer scholarships to Cornell and the University of Maryland. One student was awarded an internship at the National Arboretum which is a highly competitive application process.
Publications
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Progress 09/01/11 to 08/31/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Goal 1. Enhance current curriculum: In year one, purchased and installed landscape design software, Pro Landscape version 17. Training on use of the software is scheduled for April 2013 and the class will be offered in Fall of 2013. Purchased equipment and supplies to design an interior, stand-alone demonstration wall to be available for instruction year-round. The structure will be intalled by February 2013. Students enrolled in the Green Wall Green Roof Technology course will participate in the installation. Installation of the demonstrative Green Roof has will be completed by the end of November. The students enrolled in the Green Wall Green Roof Technology course will add the soil and plant the roof as part of their course work. The scheduled completion date is May 1, 2013 Through additional external funding, CCBC purchased and installed a Water Exchange System and integrated instruction on the system in the newly designed Greenhouse Management course. Completely revised the Landscape Design Program including five newly developed sustainable design courses: Intro to Sustainable Horticulture; Sustainable Landscape Planning; Green Roof, Green Wall Technology; Computerized Landscape Design; and Residential Forestry. Goal 2. Encourage participation and increase enrollment. Designed banners, flyer, folders and promotional items. Distributed through outreach activitiesand digitally distributed to numerous academic and industry sources. Development of a program brochure, poster and video have been initiated. Hosted a Career Day on November 9, 2012 to introduce students to the sustainable horticulture field. The event was promoted through CCBC's College Pathways and Parallel Enrollment programs and through Baltimore City Public High Schools. Following a PowerPoint lecture the students engaged in a tree identification exercise, an ecological design project and planted sedums in our green retaining wall. Introduced sustainable horticulture to school groups on five occasions reaching 125 students. Students were introduced to the green house, exterior green living wall, labyrinth and gardens to generate interest in the program. Goal 3. Improve retention and graduation rates. The Advisory Group met fall 2012. The group is made up of educators and professionals in the field and serves as liaison with local businesses and educational interests to help identify perspective students. The meeting centered on student enrollment and retention. They offered many engaging ideas. Based on their recommendation, the newly designed Sustainable Horticulture Program which was unveiled in the spring 2012 course offerings will be expanded to CCBC's Catonsville and Hunt Valley campuses in spring 2013. PARTICIPANTS: The primary goal the Strengthening CCBC's Horticulture Program is to increase the number of students pursuing a postsecondary degree in sciences and meeting the increased demand for a qualified workfoce. CCBC key objectives are to improve the effectiveness of the horticulture curriculum resulting in increased enrollment and retention. To accomplish its goal, CCBC collaborates with industry partners to ensure the curriculum addresses industry training needs. To increase enrollment CCBC is working with Baltimore County Public Schools and established community organizations targeting high school students. TARGET AUDIENCES: The target audience is high school sophomores. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: CCBC submitted a no-cost extension, extending the project expiration date from August 31, 2012 to August 31, 2013. Additionally, CCBC submitted a project director change to Dr. Brad Thompson.
Impacts
The overall impact of the "Strengthening the CCBC Horticulture Program" is to design a program that meets the needs of the growing horticultural industry. Success will be measured by recording changes in enrollment, retention and graduation rates. The newly developed Sustainable Horticulture program was launched in fall 2012 and has been heavily promoted to the target audience. The November 2012 career day was extremely well received by participating high school students. Many expressed enthusiastic interest in learning more about careers in sustainable horticulture. It will take several years before the long-term impact is demonstrated.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 09/01/10 to 08/31/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: During the first year of this project, the product acquired was computer landscape design software-"Pro Landscape" version 17.This purchase has resulted in the development of a new course entitled "Computerized Landscape Design". The course is now part of our Landscape Design Certificate. This will modernize the certificate by providing an industry utilized software program. The second product has been the development of an Introduction to Horticulture. class. The class is entitled "Introduction to Sustainable Horticulture". The design of the course is to provide the fundamentals of horticulture,as well as provide an entry-level course for those exploring possible interests in the field,an academic major or career choice. At current,we are in the process of purchasing green roof and green wall material in support of a new course,"Green Roof,Green Wall Technology". The course, along with the Introduction to Sustainable Horticulture course, will be offered in the Spring 2012 semester. Finally,this grant has allowed for a view of the program from another perspective,which has resulted in a program revision.The program, commencing with the Fall 2012 semester, will be listed as "Sustainable Horticulture" and will move in that direction.This has allowed a revision to a program that has not seen major changes since its 1980s inception. The remaining pieces of the grant,career day,publications and video production will all be directed toward program promotion. PARTICIPANTS: The program investigator is Keith Henn, program director for horticulture at CCBC. TARGET AUDIENCES: The target audience are the students in the horticulture program, and those registering in later semesters. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
For what has been implemented thus far, we will monitor enrollment in the revised landscape certificate, and follow up with those completing the certificate and survey them as to the impact of the computer design program on their work and acquired skills. For the Introduction to Sustainable Horticulture class,the enrollment will be monitored. This will also include the diversity of the enrollment as to age, background, and career goals.We currently draw from an older student population, those working in horticulture, career changers, or those seeking personal enrichment. We will want to see if this course helps attract a more diverse audience. The green roof, green wall material being used to support the new course will be monitored as to its effectiveness in acquiring new skills and their application. The revised program, commencing Fall 2012, will be monitored as to its enrollment compared to previous years, and to the diversity of its population. With the goal of this grant to strengthen the horticulture program at CCBC, we are looking to the areas of new skills and technologies, increased advertising and promotion,and increased enrollments as goals. We are looking to promote the horticulture program as a viable career choice in a changing economy. Promoting sustainability and ecological responsibility to younger audience will present horticulture as a vibrant,dynamic career, having a positive impact on our world.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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