Coolbean looks to teach kids that soybeans are cool
By Diego Flammini, Farms.com
In an effort to teach students in grades 3-5 about all things soybeans, an agronomy professor and the Soybean and Wheat Extension Specialist from the University of Wisconsin-Madison created an interactive e-book – Coolbean the Soybean.
Shawn Conley created the e-book to help kids understand where their food comes from, the kind of careers available in agriculture and why soybeans are so important domestically and globally. All while keeping the information fun and interactive for the students.
The book revolves around the main character, Coolbean the Soybean. Throughout the book he teaches the readers about agronomy, different soils and crop sciences. During his journey, Coolbean discusses modern farming practices and the life cycle of how a seed becomes a plant and then ultimately a crop. The book also talks about the importance that sun, soil and water play in the process.
Along the way, readers are introduced to a few different characters. Halia, a farmer who talks about how to be a farmer while taking care of the environment and Aliah, an agronomist who keeps Coolbean safe from the scary things that try to hurt him.
Conley said he originally created the book as a traditional graphic children’s book but ultimately turned it into an e-book because of the digital first mentality of children nowadays.
Coolbean the Soybean is available for download for both Android and Apple devices.
Join the conversation and tell us if the e-book is something you would consider downloading for your children. As a teacher, would this be a useful tool for you to use in the classroom?