Progress 09/01/14 to 08/31/18
Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience that we reached during this reporting period includes the underrepresented and minority females in Okeechobee Middle Schools, which totaled 460, and Okeechobee High School totaling 340. The efforts included practical experiences and experiential learning opportunities for the target audience via hands-on participation in a local Reality Fair, Career expo an all-encompassing visit to the IRSC STEM Center, participation in a week long Agricultural camp providing on-site and interactive activities at local businesses and operations in the agriculture and STEM industries, and an in-depth hands-on experience at the Okeechobee Livestock Market. At the Reality Fair, middle school students completed an interest career inventory survey that was based on their grade point average. Students were provided with instructional lessons on financial budgeting; students were exposed to the training and education that is needed for STEM and agriculture careers; students received information on the daily routines of the professionals and their careers. This event was truly a reality check for the students. We wanted them to understand the purpose and value of their education. They are given real life scenarios that we hope will help to provide awareness of the STEM programs and careers and more importantly create a platform for the need of higher education and how it will help each student to reach their career and academic goals. At the STEM Center, the students were given a presentation on STEM careers and were given a walk-through tour of the facility that houses educational programs and training for students pursuing degrees in STEM and agriculture. The William and Helen Thomas Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) facility houses seven laboratories in scientific fields such as genetics, ecology, chemistry, molecular science, botany, microbiology, and engineering. This tour is ideal for students that do not fully understand what careers they can pursue in the STEM field. They are brought here to get a behind the scene view of the work that goes in the in scientific fields. Each day had a theme of the week long Agricultural camp including Ranch/Beef, Food Service, Dairy, Horticulture and Environmental day. At the Okeechobee Livestock Market field trip, the students received a history lesson on how agriculture impacts our local community, the United States. The students get a view of the agriculture's global and international impact. The livestock auction brings in a large variety of buyers who own many different businesses. There are even buyers that buy remotely on their computer from home. The students saw a live auction, participated in a walk-through of the facility and learned the daily routine of the Livestock operations. Participating in this live event allowed the students to see how interconnected the agricultural field is to the business and trade market. The Okeechobee Livestock Market is one of the largest cattle auctions in the state of Florida. They have been marketing and selling the best cattle for over 50 years, and each week cattle buyers from all over the county are represented at the Livestock Market. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The project has provided opportunities for the target audience to participate in field trips and job shadowing with the grant partners. A trip to the William and Helen Thomas Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Center at the Pruitt branch campus was taken where students were given a presentation on the STEM fields and the several job opportunities that are available in the STEM industry. The facility houses seven laboratories in scientific fields such as genetics, ecology, chemistry, molecular science, botany, microbiology, and engineering. The studentswent to the Okeechobee Livestock Market where they were introduced to the cattle industry, received a history lesson on how agriculture impacts our local community, the United States, and internationally. The Okeechobee Livestock Market is one of the largest cattle auctions in the state of Florida. They have been marketing the best cattle for over 50 years and each week, cattle buyers from all over the country are represented at the Livestock Market. The studentssaw a live auction, participated in a walk-through of the facility and learned the daily routine of the Livestock operations. A Career Dayfor the High School Freshman and Junior classes was offered in which the students were given the opportunity to spend face-to-face time with local professionals to gain a clear understanding of the education and training required to hold the various career positions that were represented. The studentslearned the daily responsibilities of these professionals.Cash For College, an event where college studentsare given information aboutfinancial aidand assistance completing the application.Celebrating Seniors event provides an opportunity to recruit high school seniors, inform students on how the dual enrollment and advanced placement courses articulate to college courses, bring about awareness of the variety of programs that are offered at our institution; presentation to migrant students on admission to the college, including information in Ag and STEM related trainings and educational programs. Freshman Survival Skills is aneventfor our new and incoming high school students which includes new student orientation, students meet their assigned advisor, registerfor classes and receiveassistance with their guided pathways. "Careers of the Future" event included information session on trending careers involving technology and robotics,agricultural career information sessions,UF/IFAS Indian River Research Center tour, andcollaboration with University of Florida science professors. We orchestrated field trips with organizations such as Florida Atlantic University's Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute (HBOI). Studentslearned about careers in marine biology and the research that HBOI does including marine biomedical and biotechnology research. They were also informed about Marine Science and Engineering summer internships that were available through the HBOI and FAU. Participants learned how the feed was produced and shipped domestically and internationally. Hosted Reality Fair/Career Expo for 400, 8th grade students to introduce them tocareersinSTEM and Agriculture.Students were exposed to the training and education that is needed for STEM and agriculture careers. The students were given real life scenarios that we hope will help to provide awareness of the STEM programs and more importantly create a platform for the need of higher education and how it will help each student to reach their career and academic goals. Guest speakersspoke to participants in ourSummer STEM academy to talk about different agricultural careers.Everglades Farm Equipment, Department of Agriculture-Water Policy, and Okeechobee UF/IFAS Extension Office were recruited to provide trainings and to attend career fair. AnAgricultural camp where students were able to learnabout different aspects of agriculture and STEM by visiting different local agricultural businesses and operations. Each day had a different theme including Ranch/Beef, Food Science, Dairy, Horticulture and Environmental Day. For Beef and Ranch day we visited one of our grant partners, Williamson Cattleto learn about the different types of beef cows and how a cattleoperation works. This field trip was tied to careers in veterinary science and animal science. A visit tothe Okeechobee High School Agricultural Barn where students learned about the different types of meat cuts on a cow and various types of shots that needed to be administered to cows. The day ended with visits to another grant partner, the Okeechobee Livestock Market and a tour of the Publix Supermarkets meat department. Grant participantswere provided the opportunity to make grilled cheese sandwiches, learned how to cut beef for jerky, and assisted in making "dippin dots" ice cream with liquefied ice cream and liquid nitrogen. The students experiencedagricultural related careers in the business sector by visiting Walpole Feed where they learned about the agricultural trucking industry. In addition to a field trip to United Feed,a visit was made to grant partner, Syfrett Feed where participantslearned about robotics and logistics careers in the feed industry along with how feed is manufactured and processed. Students learned how degrees in animal science and business were helpful in agricultural industries such as these. For Dairy day the students visited Larson Dairy, Milking R Dairy and Southeast Milk. Students were again able to make the connection between agriculture and business as they heard from different Southeast Milk employees including the Assistant Terminal Manager, Human Resources Manager, Safety Manager, Representative and others whohighlighted the impacta college education made in their career and touched on different areas in business within the agricultural industry including marketing, accounting, branding, communications, design, sales and management. For horticulture day the students visited JW Turf, a sod farm where student learned how IRSC's programs in Landscape and horticulture technology and how it could benefit them in this industry. The General Manager also tied the field trip to various careers in business that are behind the scenes of the turf industry such as accounting, marketing, logistics, and management. A visit to a local orange grove gave the students insight into the hardships that grovesfacein orange harvesting with the rampant diseases and pests that affect the trees and ultimately the orange crop. Asales representative from Speedling shared her own story of growing up in a small agricultural community and how her degree in agricultural communications and her work experiences as a UF extension agent and teacher eventually led her into the sales field of a seed sales company. She made note of many management, accounting, marketing, research scientist, environmental and plant pathologist positions that were all available at Speedling. Finally the week ended with a pontoon boat tour of the Kissimmee River through the Florida Atlantic University owned Center for Environment Studies (CES) Riverwoods Field Lab. Beforehand students watched an educational video showing the restoration project of the C-33 Canal of the Kissimmee River. They were then able to see the actual work being done on the canal via a pontoon boat tour where they were also introduced to various aquatic plants and wildlife. Our tour guide highlighted the importance of careers such as environmental scientists and engineers that made all of this environmental research and restoration possible. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Over the course of the grant, the results were presented to the Economic Council, Chamber of Commerce, the County Commissioners, and local organizations such as Kiwanis, Rotary Club, Retired Teachers Association, and the Okeechobee Education Foundation. The Reality Fair and Career Day results were disseminated to the same local groups and organizations, as well as, Okeechobee County School District administration and instructional staff. An additional meeting with grant partners is scheduled for November 2018 to share results accumulated from this grant opportunity and their participation. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Performance Measures 1. IRSC will increase the number of female and underrepresented minorities enrolling in high school vocational programs related to Agriculture and STEM by 5%. Females in Ag/STEM Vocational Programs for 2014: 448 Females in Ag/STEM Vocational Programs for 2018: 583 583-448=135/448-.301 Total Change= Increase 30% Underrepresented Minorities in Ag/STEM Vocational Programs for 2014: 324 Underrepresented Minorities in Ag/STEM Vocational Program for 2018: 583 583-324=259/324=.799 Total Change=Increase 79% Females in Digital Design Program for 2016: 23 Females in Digital Design Program for 2018: 19 Underrepresented Minorities in Digital Design Program for 2016: 23 Underrepresented Minorities in Digital Design Program for 2018: 20 20-23=-3/23= -.13 Total Change= 13% Decrease 2. The number of middle school students taking Agriculture and or Technology vocational classes will increase by 5% Middle School Students Enrolled in Agriculture in 2014: 463 Total Number of Middle School Students: 1391 Percentage of Middle School Students Enrolled in Agriculture: 33% Middle School Students Enrolled in Agriculture in 2018: 461 Total Number of Middle School Students: 1453 Percentage of Middle School Students Enrolled in Agriculture: 32% Total Change: 1% Decrease 3. 100% of high school juniors and seniors as well as current IRSC students in the Biology Baccalaureate degree program will be conducting or will have conducted undergraduate research and experiential learning opportunities at a partner research facility or with a faculty member at IRSC Okeechobee High School incorporated a required research component into the science curriculum, and the IRSC Biology degree students participate in research requirements in their Biology class (this would include dual enrollment students). Grant participants, ofthe high school and college age, participated in experiential learning opportunities with our grant partners during field trips and interactive visits to their facilities. 4. IRSC will increase the number of students pursuing a Baccalaureate degree in Biology by 5% Baccalaureate in Biology Enrollment for Fall 2013/ Spring 2014: 20 Baccalaureate in Biology Enrollment for Fall 2017/Spring 2018: 28 28-20=8/20=.40 Total Change = 40% Increase 5. The number of females and underrepresented minorities entering the Agriculture and STEM fields in postsecondary education/training will increase by 10%. There wasan increase in this category .27 morestudents entered the Agriculture and STEM fields at Indian River State College in 2018 than we had enter those programs in 2014. 2014: Females = 224; URM = 118; Total = 342 2018: Females = 215; URM = 144; Total = 369 Total Change = 7.8% Increase 6. The number of females and underrepresented minorities entering the workforce in Agriculture and STEM areas within the collaborating organizations will increase by 5%. In 2014 our grant partners employed a total of 188 females and underrepresented minorities, and currently they employ 263. This is an additional 75 females and underrepresented minorities entered the workforce, a much greater percentage than the 5% targeted.
Publications
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Progress 09/01/16 to 08/31/17
Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience that we reached during this reporting period includes the underrepresented and minority females in Okeechobee Middle Schools, which totaled 460, and Okeechobee High School totaling 340. The efforts included practical experiences and experiential learning opportunities for the target audience via hands-on participation in a local Reality Fair, Career expo an all-encompassing visit to the IRSC STEM Center and an in-depth hands-on experience at the Okeechobee Livestock Market. At the Reality Fair, middle school students completed an interest career inventory survey that was based on their grade point average. Students were provided with instructional lessons on financial budgeting; students were exposed to the training and education that is needed for STEM and agriculture careers; students received information on the daily routines of the professionals and their careers. This event was truly a reality check for the students. We wanted them to understand the purpose and value of their education. They are given real life scenarios that we hope will help to provide awareness of the STEM programs and careers and more importantly create a platform for the need of higher education and how it will help each student to reach their career and academic goals. At the STEM Center, the students were given a presentation on STEM careers and were given a walk-through tour of the facility that houses educational programs and training for students pursuing degrees in STEM and agriculture. The William and Helen Thomas Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) facility houses seven laboratories in scientific fields such as genetics, ecology, chemistry, molecular science, botany, microbiology, and engineering. This tour is ideal for students that do not fully understand what careers they can pursue in the STEM field. They are brought here to get a behind the scene view of the work that goes in the in scientific fields. At the Okeechobee Livestock Market field trip, the students received a history lesson on how agriculture impacts our local community, the United States. The students get a view of the agriculture's global and international impact. The livestock auction brings in a large variety of buyers who own many different businesses. There are even buyers that buy remotely on their computer from home. The students saw a live auction, participated in a walk-through of the facility and learned the daily routine of the Livestock operations. Participating in this live event allowed the students to see how interconnected the agricultural field is to the business and trade market. The Okeechobee Livestock Market is one of the largest cattle auctions in the state of Florida. They have been marketing and selling the best cattle for over 50 years, and each week cattle buyers from all over the country are represented at the Livestock Market. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The project has provided opportunities for the target audience to participate in field trips, internships and shadowing with the grant partners. We orchestrated field trips with companies such as The William and Helen Thomas Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Center at the Pruitt branch campus. There the students were given a presentation on the STEM fields such as genetics, ecology, chemistry, molecular science, botany, microbiology, and engineering. The students were also taken to the Okeechobee Livestock Market where they were introduced to the cattle industry and received a history lesson on how agriculture impacts our local community and the United States. The Okeechobee Livestock Market is the largest cattle auction in the state of Florida. They have been marketing the best cattle for over 50 years. The students were able to see a live auction, participated in a walk-through of the facility and were able to learn the daily routine of the Livestock operations. Along with field trips we have created events to engage and teach the students about real life after their secondary education as well as the types of jobs a positive work ethic can help them to attain. One event we hosted was Career Day. It was for the counties high school sophomore, junior and senior classes. The students were given the opportunity to spend face-to-face time with local professionals to gain a clear understanding of the education and training that is involved in the various STEM and nonSTEM related careers. The students were able to learn the daily responsibilities of these professionals. The Reality Fair event is for our middle school 8th grades. Presenters spoke to middle school students in regards to STEMrelated careers. Students were exposed to the training and education that is needed for STEM and agriculture careers. The students were given real life scenarios that we hope will help to provide awareness of the STEM programs and more importantly create a platform for the need of higher education and how it will help each student to reach their career and academic goals. We hosted student success workshops for new and current students. During these events, the students were given one on one training and orientation review of IRSC student services and academic services. During the year we hosted four FAFSA Frenzy nights for high school seniors who were given information on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and help with completing the FAFSA Cash for College is an event where high school seniors were given information on the FAFSA and help to complete the FAFSA. During this event, students were able to meet with their advisor and go over final holds on their account. They were shown how to register for classes and shown how to navigate the IRSC site so that they can better use their MyIRSC and Blackboard. Celebrating Seniors is another great onboarding event we enjoyed hosting for our high school seniors. This event provides an opportunity to recruit high school seniors. We informed students on how the dual enrollment and advanced placement courses articulate to college courses, bring about awareness of the variety of programs that are offered at our institution. We presented to migrant students on admission to the college, including information on Agriculture, Farming and STEM-related training and educational programs. We also provided FAFSA information during this event as well. Early Registration day is for our high school seniors transitioning into high school. Our advisors saw these students and made sure they were off to a good start for their first semester in college. We assisted the student services with registration, guided pathway, and financial aid. We to answered questions the student may have pertaining to clubs and organizations and how to get involved. It's our goal to create an open door environment for the new students so that they are able to come to us with any questions or issues they should have. This allows us to have a more impactful input into their academic success with us at IRSC. Freshman Survival Skills is another event we hosted this year for our new and incoming high school students. This event consisted with new student orientation. We had a blackboard boot camp where we showed students how to navigate the online blackboard course site. The Students met with their advisor, registered for classes and received assistance with their guided pathways assistance. Hosted "Careers of the Future" information session on upcoming careers involving technology and robotics. Agricultural career information session at the Williamson Conference Center. Field Trips- UF/IFAS Indian River Research Center. Learned about horticulture, aquaculture, invasive plant species, bio-control with bugs that eat invasive species. Collaboration with University of Florida science professors. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The results were presented to the Economic Council, Chamber of Commerce, the County Commissioners, and local organizations such as Kiwanas, Rotary Club, Retired Teachers Association, and the Okeechobee Education Foundation. The Reality Fair and Career Day results were disseminated to the same local groups and organizations, as well as, Okeechobee County School District administration and instructional staff. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We will recruit more students to be involved in the WAMS grant; go into the agriculture and science courses at the middle schools and high school to present information on the grant; Speak to students in both middle and high schools to promote the STEM field. We will continue the Reality Fair with the 8th graders; continue with the Career Day but with smaller sessions targeting all high school sophomore,juniors, and seniors. We will have Half-day field trips, available to the entire target audience. The field trips will include locations such as The Okeechobee Livestock Market, The Center for Ocean Science Education Excellence (COSEE) which will help students develop a better understanding of the ocean and coastal systems, The William and Helen Thomas Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) facility and Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute. We would like to develop a more comprehensive partnership with local employers for internships and shadowing opportunities. This will allow for our students to get hands-on experience and understanding of the careers they are interested in. We will work on administering evaluation surveys to participants to gain more information on the program and the activities if they are beneficial to students. We will also be working with the middle and high school faculty and administrative staff to place our program information on their resource page. Adding our college information on the high school and middle school web page should increase our recruiting efforts for IRSC and the WAMS grant. Parents will have a direct location to go for questions about IRSC and dual enrollment as well as high school seniors will have a place to get started at IRSC. We will continue tabling our resources at Okeechobee high school to promote the STEM field programs we have at IRSC. Going into various neighborhoods throughout the community of Okeechobee to participate in local events, providing college program information as well as career planning and awareness opportunities.Provide learning opportunities about Precision Agriculture technology. Utilize grant partners andlocal agricultural experts in the industry to provide classroom presentations on agriculture careers, as well as short video clips about agricultural careers that can be posted on school websites. Start a collegiate chapter of FFA for IRSC Students- include job shadowing opportunities.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
The Program Director and Project Coordinator have hosted meetings with instructional staff and administration on promoting Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and Agriculture programs. The Program Director also went to high school classes to recruit and create awareness on the STEM and Agriculture programs. The Program Director and the Project Coordinator have presented to instructional staff and administration on programs offered at IRSC. The Program Director has worked with the local radio station WOKC to promote Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and Agriculture programs. The program Director and Project Coordinator have gone to local community events throughout the year to promote Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and Agriculture programs.Presented to 75 middle school students about IRSC degree programs and career opportunities in agriculture. Funded trip for 45 students to attend field trip to EPCOT Stem exhibit. Funded trip for students to field trip to IRSC Pruitt Campus STEM Center. Arranged for guest speakers to speak to middle school Summer STEM academy to talk about different agricultural careers. Participated in Migrant Head Start Family Fun Day to distribute information about IRSC's agricultural degree programs and potential jobs in the Agriculture and STEM fields. Power Point presentation to 17 middle school students and arranged for dairy extension agent to give presentation to students about technological advancements in the dairy industry. Spoke to 60high school students in Agriculture class about careers in agriculture and IRSC's STEM and Agriculture related degrees. Currently we are attaining enrollment numbers from the middle and high schools. Enrolled in the Baccalaureate degree in Biology at IRSC currently 393 studentscompared to opening the grant in the Fall of 2013 with 274 students. Collecting enrollment numbers from IRSC in the Agriculture and STEM areas for Fall 2017.
Publications
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Progress 09/01/15 to 08/31/16
Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience that we reached during this reporting period includes the underrepresented and minority females in Okeechobee Middle Schools, which totaled 460, and Okeechobee High School totaling 340. The efforts included practical experiences and experiential learning opportunities for the target audience via hands-on participation in a local Reality Fair, Career expo an all-encompassing visit to the IRSC STEM Center and an in-depth hands-on experience at the Okeechobee Livestock Market. At the Reality Fair, middle school students completed an interest career inventory survey that was based on their grade point average. Students were provided with instructional lessons on financial budgeting; students were exposed to the training and education that is needed for STEM and agriculture careers; students received information on the daily routines of the professionals and their careers. This event was truly a reality check for the students. We wanted them to understand the purpose and value of their education. They are given real life scenarios that we hope will help to provide awareness of the STEM programs and careers and more importantly create a platform for the need of higher education and how it will help each student to reach their career and academic goals. At the STEM Center, the students were given a presentation on STEM careers and were given a walk-through tour of the facility that houses educational programs and training for students pursuing degrees in STEM and agriculture. The William and Helen Thomas Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) facility houses seven laboratories in scientific fields such as genetics, ecology, chemistry, molecular science, botany, microbiology, and engineering. This tour is ideal for students that do not fully understand what careers they can pursue in the STEM field. They are brought here to get a behind the scene view of the work that goes in the in scientific fields. At the Okeechobee Livestock Market field trip, the students received a history lesson on how agriculture impacts our local community, the United States. The students get a view of the agriculture's global and international impact. The livestock auction brings in a large variety of buyers who own many different businesses. There are even buyers that buy remotely on their computer from home. The students saw a live auction, participated in a walk-through of the facility and learned the daily routine of the Livestock operations. Participating in this live event allowed the students to see how interconnected the agricultural field is to the business and trade market. The Okeechobee Livestock Market is one of the largest cattle auctions in the state of Florida. They have been marketing and selling the best cattle for over 50 years, and each week cattle buyers from all over the country are represented at the Livestock Market. Changes/Problems:We aim to be more aggressive in our communication towards the community and students. By attending more community events. Creating more interactive events and finding more locations for field trips and internships for our students to be involved in;we believe wecan increase awareness for the WAM grants amongst the underrepresented students and female minorities with Okeechobee. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The project has provided opportunities for the target audience to participate in field trips, internships and shadowing with the grant partners. We orchestrated field trips with companies such as The William and Helen Thomas Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Center at the Pruitt branch campus. There the students were given a presentation on the STEM fields such as genetics, ecology, chemistry, molecular science, botany, microbiology, and engineering. The students were also taken to the Okeechobee Livestock Market where they were introduced to the cattle industry and received a history lesson on how agriculture impacts our local community and the United States. The Okeechobee Livestock Market is the largest cattle auction in the state of Florida. They have been marketing the best cattle for over 50 years. The students were able to see a live auction, participated in a walk-through of the facility and were able to learn the daily routine of the Livestock operations. Along with field trips we have created events to engage and teach the students about real life after their secondary education as well as the types of jobs a positive work ethic can help them to attain. One event we hosted was Career Day. It was for the counties high schoolsophomore, juniorandsenior classes. The students were given the opportunity to spend face-to-face time with local professionals to gain a clear understanding of the education and training that is involved in the various STEM and nonSTEM related careers. The students were able to learn the daily responsibilities of these professionals. The Reality Fair event is for our middle school 8th grades. Presenters spoke to middle school students in regards to STEM-related careers. Students were exposed to the training and education that is needed for STEM and agriculture careers. The students were given real life scenarios that we hope will help to provide awareness of the STEM programs and more importantly create a platform for the need of higher education and how it will help each student to reach their career and academic goals. We hosted student success workshops for new and current students. During these events, the students were given one on one training and orientation review of IRSC student services and academic services. During the year we hosted four FAFSA Frenzy nights for high school seniors who were given information on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and help with completing the FAFSA Cash for College is an event where high school seniors were given information on the FAFSA and help to complete the FAFSA. During this event, students were able to meet with their advisor and go over final holds on their account. They were shown how to register for classes and shown how to navigate the IRSC site so that they can better use their MyIRSC and Blackboard. Celebrating Seniors is another great onboarding event we enjoyed hosting for our high school seniors. This event provides an opportunity to recruit high school seniors. We informed students on how the dual enrollment and advanced placement courses articulate to college courses, bring about awareness of the variety of programs that are offered at our institution. We presented to migrant students on admission to the college, including information on Agriculture, Farming and STEM-related training and educational programs. We also provided FAFSA information during this event as well. Early Registration day is for our high school seniors transitioning into high school. Our advisors saw these students and made sure they were off to a good start for their first semester in college. We assisted the student services with registration, guided pathway, and financial aid. We to answered questions the student may have pertaining to clubs and organizations and how to get involved. It's our goal to create an open door environment for the new students so that they are able to come to us with any questions or issues they should have. This allows us to have a more impactful input into their academic success with us at IRSC. Freshman Survival Skills is another event we hosted this year for our new and incoming high school students. This event consisted with new student orientation. We had a blackboard boot camp where we showed students how to navigate the online blackboard course site. The Students met with their advisor, registered for classes and received assistance with their guided pathways assistance. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The results were presented to the Economic Council, Chamber of Commerce, the County Commissioners, and local organizations such as Kiwanas, Rotary Club, Retired Teachers Association, and the Okeechobee Education Foundation. The Reality Fair and Career Day results were disseminated to the same local groups and organizations, as well as, Okeechobee County School District administration and instructional staff. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We will recruit more students to be involved in the WAMS grant; go into the agriculture and science courses at the middle schools and high school to present information on the grant; Speak to students in both middle and high schools to promote the STEM field. We will continue the Reality Fair with the 8th graders; continue with the Career Day but with smaller sessions targeting all high school sophomore,juniors, and seniors. We will have Half-day field trips, available to the entire target audience. The field trips will include locations such as The Okeechobee Livestock Market, The Center for Ocean Science Education Excellence (COSEE) which will help students develop a better understanding of the ocean and coastal systems, The William and Helen Thomas Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) facility and Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute. We would like to develop a more comprehensive partnership with local employers for internships and shadowing opportunities. This will allow for our students to get hands-on experience and understanding of the careers they are interested in. We will work on administering evaluation surveys to participants to gain more information on the program and the activities if they are beneficial to students. We will also be working with the middle and high school faculty and administrative staff to place our program information on their resource page. Adding our college information on the high school and middle school web page should increase our recruiting efforts for IRSC and the WAMS grant. Parents will have a direct location to go for questions about IRSC and dual enrollment as well as high school seniors will have a place to get started at IRSC. We will continue tabling our resources at Okeechobee high school to promote the STEM field programs we have at IRSC.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
The Program Director and Project Coordinator have hosted meetings with instructional staff and administration on promoting Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and Agriculture programs. The Program Director also went to high school classes to recruit and create awareness on the STEM and Agriculture programs. The Program Director and the Project Coordinator have presented to instructional staff and administration on programs offered at IRSC. The Program Director has worked with the local radio station WOKC to promote Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and Agriculture programs. The program Director and Project Coordinator have gone to local community events throughout the year to promote Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and Agriculture programs.
Publications
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Progress 09/01/14 to 08/31/15
Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience that we reached during this reporting period include: the underrepresented and minority females in Okeechobee Middle Schools, which totaled 450,and Okeechobee High School totaling 340. The efforts included practical experiences and experiential learning opportunities for the target audience via hands-on participation in a local Reality Fair, career expo, all-encompassing visit to the IRSC STEM Center and an in depth hands-on experience at the Okeechobee Livestock Market. At the Reality Fair, students first completed an interest career inventory survey that was based on their grade point average. Students were provided with instructional lessons on financial budgeting; students were exposed to the training and education that is needed for STEM and agriculture careers; students received information on the daily routines of the professionals and their careers. The Career Expo exposes the high school sophomores and juniors to different careers in the STEM and agriculture industries. The students completed a survey on career interest, met and discussed job responsibilities with local professionals. At the STEM Center the students were given a presentation on STEM careers and were given a walk thru tour of the facility that houses educational programs and trainings for students pursing degrees in STEM and agriculture. The William and Helen Thomas Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) facility houses seven laboratories in scientific fields such as genetics, ecology, chemistry, molecular science, botany, microbiology, and engineering. At the Okeechobee Livestock Market field trip, the students received a history lesson on how agriculture impacts our local community, the United States, and internationally. The Okeechobee Livestock Market is one of the largest cattle auctions in the state of Florida. They have been marketing and selling the best cattle for over 50 years, and each week cattle buyers from all over the country are represented at the Livestock Market. The students also saw a live auction, participated in a walk-through of the facility and learned the daily routine of the Livestock operations. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The project has provided opportunities for the target audience to participate in field trips and shadowing with the grant partners. A trip to the William and Helen Thomas Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Center at the Pruitt branch campus was taken where students were given a presentation on the STEM field and the several job opportunities that are in the STEM industry. The students also went to the Okeechobee Livestock Market where they were introduced to the cattle industry, received a history lesson on how agriculture impacts our local community, the United States, and internationally. The Okeechobee Livestock Market is one of the largest cattle auctions in the state of Florida. They have been marketing the best cattle for over 50 years and each week, cattle buyers from all over the country are represented at the Livestock Market. The students also saw a live auction, participated in a walk-through of the facility and learned the daily routine of the Livestock operations. A Career Day which was hosted for the HIgh School Freshman and Junior classes in which the students were given the opportunity to spend face-to-face time with local professionals to gain a clear understanding of the education/training that is required to hold the various career positions that were represented. The students also learned of the daily responsibilities of these professionals; a Reality Fair was administered to 8th graders where presenters spoke to middle school students in regards to STEM related careers; two FAFSA Frenzy nights were held for high school seniors who are given information on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and help with completing the FAFSA; Cash For College, an event where high school seniors are given information on the FAFSA and help completing the FAFSA; Celebrating Seniors event provides an opportunity to recruit high school seniors, inform students on how the dual enrollment and advanced placement courses articulate to college courses, bring about awareness of the variety of programs that are offered at our institution; presentation to migrant students on admission to the college, including information in Ag and STEM related trainings and educational programs, and FAFSA; presented to the high school vocational completers on how their classes can articulate to the college, FAFSA information, informed students on Ag and STEM trainings and educational programs, and the variety of programs that our institution offers. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The results were presented to the Economic Council, Chamber of Commerce, the County Commissioners, and local organizations such as Kiwanas, Rotary Club, Retired Teachers Association, and the Okeechobee Education Foundation. The Reality Fair and Career Day results were disseminated to the same local groups and organizations, as well as, Okeechobee County School District administration and instructional staff. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We will recruit more students to be involved in the WAMS grant; go into the agriculture and science courses at the middle schools and high school to present information on the grant; continue the Reality Fair with the 8th graders; continue with the Career Day but with smaller sessions targeting all high school sophomores and juniors; field trip, available to the entire target audience, to the Center for Ocean Science Education Excellence (COSEE) which will help students develop a better understanding about the ocean and coastal systems; administer evaluation surveys to participants to gain more information on the program and the activities if they are beneficial to them.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
The Program Director and the Project Coordinator have hosted meetings with instructional staff and administration on promoting Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and Agriculture programs. The Program Director also went to high school classes to recruit and create awareness on the STEM and Agriculture programs.
Publications
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