Progress 09/01/21 to 08/28/23
Outputs
Target Audience:The grant funds were used to support K-12 agriculture education focused on grades 9-12. Funds supported learning experiences aligned to plant science, animal science and horticulture with dual credit course work with the Elizabethtown Community and Technical College. Experiences also supported work-based learning and apprenticeship models to accelerate student credentialing in the agriculture industry. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Teachers worked collaboratively during summer leadership pathways where we united staff with local business and industry to revamp agriculture college & career pathways. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The ag collab created the Ag Benefits Pamphlet which has been distributed to all students and families. Information was also shared via video with business and industry partners. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
-94 STUDENTS COMPLETED DUAL CREDIT COURSES WITHIN AGRICULTURE PATHWAY -UNITED 25 STUDENTS TO COMMUNITY PARTNERS THROUGH AG COLLAB JOB SHADOW EXPERIENCE. -UNITED 25 STUDENTS WITH AGRICULTURE COMMUNITY PARTNERS THROUGH WORK-BASED LEARNING -UNITED WITH 10 COMMUNITY PARTNERS THROUGH COMMUNITY EXPLORATION EXPERIENCES. -UNITED TEACHERS & AG PROFESSIONALS TO CREATE REAL-WORLD LEARNING EXPERIENCES.
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Progress 09/01/21 to 08/31/22
Outputs
Target Audience:The project served Secondary school students in grades 9-12 from Thomas Nelson High School and Nelson County High School (of Nelson County, Kentucky) in place-based learning experiences at Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest. Activities placed students at the program site for half-day of instruction for a minimum of a 9 week (quarter-long) to full year of educational experiences. The project provided experiential, hands-on learning for students in three separate secondary Ag-science courses. The free/reduced lunch rates of the targeted population was at or above 43%; the rate of disability was at 14%. A total of 100 students wereserved during the first project year. Changes/Problems:Ours is a two-year project period. Due to circumstances surrounding the pandemic, we experienced a delay in the start of the paid internship/apprenticeship programs. (Note that the remainder of activities are underway). We have adapted the timeline and will still offer the same number of experiences as proposed in the original application, but these shall be concentrated within a fewer number of semesters; the target participation counts and budget will remain the same. Overall, no significant changes are anticipated. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?3) Six secondary ag-science teachers engaged in full-day professional learningpertaining to the integration and availability of careers and real-world experiences locally available to students who may pursue careers in related fields. These instructors developed lessons integrating real-world skills. In year two, additional instructors at the middle and elementary levels will engage in these learning experiences under mentorships of the teachers trained in year one. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The dissemination of information to date has been within the local community of stakeholders who have provided support to or who will directly benefit from the project. Ongoing updates regarding participation and program activities have been shared at regular meetings of the Nelson County Board of Education as it is a monthly public forum broadcast through television, radio, and social media (inclusive of regular media coverage). Intentional stakeholder advisory (and beneficiary) meetings have been conducted on the program site, including professional development of science teachers, meetings for professional learning communities, meetings of community- based organizations, worksessions for school principals, and a community-wide open house to showcase activities at the site. Bringing stakeholders on-site has provided the greatest means of directly demonstrating results; project students are present and showcase their work. An annual summative presentation will be held at a quarterly ignite session in which students will establish "centers" displaying and describing their work and how the program has benefitted them. A summative presentation will be provided indicating the results (number of participants, trainings, etc...) as described in the evaluation plan. The following website has been developed to provide general information, and a video describes the work.: LINK What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We will continue the project into year two and seek to expand enrollment and the types and variety of participation of middle and elementary students/classrooms who collaborate with the daily on-site program to support and integrate lessons. In addition, four student apprenticeships of 18 hours/week will be put into place for advanced program students to engage in place-based learning under the direct supervision of scientists and practioners in horticulture and Ag-connected fields.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Goal 1: Through the project, students from Thomas Nelson HIgh school and Nelson County High School were able to select an option for primary area of study in Ag-sicence focusing on plant science and horticulture. Coursework was provided on-site at Bernheim Aroboretum and Reserach Forest with dual credit opportunities toward earning an Associate Degree in Applied Science in Agriculture with Elizabethtown Community & Technical College. Goal 2: At the conclusion of the first year of the project period, a total of 100 students completed two or more credits toward the program. Objectives: 1) The number of students who have enrolled in ag-related career pathways now exceeds 100 students within the first year of the project period. The number of completers (including those who enroll in related post-secondary programs) will be reported at the conclusion of the project period. 2) The instructional delivery systems include quarter (9 weeks) and up to year-long placement of students at Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest for a period of 1/2 of the academic day. Students (and their regular school day instructors) are housed in spaces and facilities at Bernheim and complete students and work alongside scientists and experts in the field while engaging in true work experiences and hands-on learning. In addition, students from four feeder middle schools and five feeder elementary programs participated in single (or multiple day) experiences on-site as a practical extension of classroom lessons and study pertaining to horticulture, ecology, forestry, and biology. Secondary students enrolled in the program on a regular basis led on-site labs and greenhouse/field exploration activities.
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