By Theresa Hogue
SMILE, the Science & Math Investigative Learning Experiences program at Oregon State University has been awarded a new $500,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture through the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Education and Workforce Development.
The three-year project will support the co-development of classroom and out-of-school learning resources that connect agricultural biotechnology research to K-12 education across Oregon.
Through the grant, SMILE will work with OSU faculty, researchers and students to develop lessons, case studies and short-form videos that help fourth through 12th grade teachers and students critically explore agriculture, biotechnology and related career pathways. The project will focus on rural Oregon communities, including many with strong agricultural connections. It will build on SMILE’s longstanding model of partnering with OSU faculty and Oregon educators to develop, pilot and refine curricula.
Over the course of the project, SMILE will provide professional development for 90 educators and support them in bringing agriculture-related content into classrooms and after-school settings. Participating teachers will help shape the curriculum, pilot it with students and provide feedback that will inform revisions before the resources are shared more broadly across the state.
“This project builds on what SMILE has done for decades: work alongside teachers in rural Oregon to create engaging, relevant STEM learning tied to real issues in their communities,” said Erin Doney, SMILE program coordinator. “By connecting educators and students with current research in agricultural biotechnology, we hope to strengthen agricultural literacy and help more young people see pathways into college and careers in food, agriculture and science.”
Source : oregonstate.edu