Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
A wide range of scientific and technological disciplines are necessary to make advancements in the agricultural industry corresponding to the growing demands of our global society. Among these disciplines are agricultural, chemical, environmental, industrial, and mechanical engineering disciplines which are strongly rooted in the fundamental scientific domains of chemistry, physics, and mathematics. Often the interdisciplinary aspects and interconnectivity of these disciplines is not well communicated to the aspiring students. This is currently being done at undergraduate or graduate level education. However, with changing educational fields and quickly growing interdisciplinary nature of various scientific and engineering fields and industrial sectors, it is a must to communicate these advances to students at much earlier stage so that they are prepared for higher studies. This lack of knowledge or understanding is more prevalent in students from underrepresented communities and groups including women and minorities.This WAMS project aims to recruit women and minority students from senior high schools, vocational, junior and community colleges to provide immersive, informative, and experiential learning experience that fosters curiosity and an intriguing feeling about the interdisciplinary aspects of scientific and engineering disciplines as related to agricultural fields. A total of 75 students from the northwest Indiana and northeast Illinois regions will benefit from this program over the three years of the project. There are numerous rural communities that are within 25-mile radius to the host institution and several colleges and high schools have already registered interest in this WAMS program due to ongoing collaborations in similar programs.The program specifically aims to engage students in classroom, laboratory (hands on), and outdoor (field) activities to provide an appreciation for the complex issues at nexus of energy, water, nutrient, environment, and land sustainability. The two-week curriculum will be prepared in a way to provide a deeper of understanding of the intrinsic connection of these essential elements and the role of science and technology in addressing the challenges at their nexus. The topics will include water, energy, and food nexus, environmental and land sustainability in agriculture. In addition, food, nutrition, and public health topics will be discussed. The curriculum will provide opportunities for instruction and mentoring through various innovative indoor and outdoor activities with the goals of improving professional, technical, and interpersonal skills of the participants.The project is expected to instill confidence and unwavering interest towards STEM disciplines in the participants. The program includes an external evaluator who will utilize various forms of evaluation to provide feedback aiming to enhance the project outcomes. WHEELS graduates will be tracked in time to record their higher education trajectories and to measure the impact of WHEELS program.
Animal Health Component
0%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
(N/A)
Developmental
100%
Goals / Objectives
The main goals/objectivesof this project are as follows.1. To provide highly immersive, informative, and experiential learning to high school andcollege students about the interdisciplinary aspects of water, health, energy, environment,and land sustainability as related to agricultural infrastructure2. To prepare highly motivated individuals aspiring to pursue advanced and higher educationin scientific and technical disciplines of agricultural fields,3. To enhance communication and leadership skills and instill positive attitude and buildconfidence towards various scientific and engineering professions
Project Methods
Recruitment and PlanningThe recruitment plan will start at least 6 months prior to the date of summer program. 25 women and minority students from senior high schools, vocational, junior and community colleges will be recruited with the help of collaborative partnerships currently established by the PI. The PI will reach out to the leadership and/or faculty of local high schools and community colleges. A project website will be developed to allow for advertising the project as well as for the prospective participants to apply online. In addition, brochures and social media platform may be used to promote the program. The program director (Gude) will visit the local high schools and community colleges who have already agreed to support this effort. The program director will specifically attend conferences and meetings organized by local minority societies to spread the word about the WHEELS program. In person communication and special attention to the recruiting process is anticipated to result in high turnover of applications. In addition, local water, energy, environmental and public health related organizations will be approached to disseminate the program. The application process will include their basic particulars, a statement of interest in STEM fields, and referee contact information. Regardless of their existing academic performance, all applicants will be given an opportunity for consideration. However, students from the most underrepresented groups and remote locations (due to lack of resources for STEM learning) will be given a priority.Curriculum:The program will have a highly specialized curriculum emphasizing the interdisciplinary aspects of science and engineering programs through concepts such as water-energy-environment nexus, agriculture-land-nutrient nexus, sustainable farming, urban agriculture, and rural development. Students will be exposed to simple exercises and laboratory demonstrations to experience a scientific or engineering aspect. For example, simulations can be performed to understand the wind energy profiles for the northwest Indiana region. The program will also identify ways to continue the mentorship beyond the two-week long experience. Online platforms will be used to connect remotely. These meetings may be used to continue professional development sessions and science related talks and discussions. WHEELS fellows will be welcome to pursue various opportunities such summer camps, student competitions, and other educational events throughout the year. Evaluation:An external evaluator has been secured for the project who will provide objective assessment and guidance regarding the program outcomes. In addiiton, advisory board members will provide guidance throughout the project.Summative evaluation methods will include a baseline or pre-program survey and post-program survey, which will be prepared with the help of advisory board members and extension experts, to fit the needs of our WHEELS program.Exit interviews and overall program evaluations will be given to each student, and these will be helpful in planning the upcoming year's WHEELS program. Exit interviews and program evaluations will be used to assess not only the effectiveness of research mentoring, extension and education activities but also the format of the program and field experiences. When possible, surveys and evaluations will be conducted through Qualtrics online survey software.