Future Scientist Mini-Institute USDA/ARS Lab at Booneville, Arkansas June 14-15, 2016 Sponsored by: Arkansas Corn and Grain Sorghum Board Arkansas Farm Bureau – Ag in the Classroom USDA/HSINP Future Scientists Program The Future Scientist Mini Institute is an exclusive opportunity for 20 science teachers who are committed to using project based learning to introduce their students to the science involved in agriculture and the future employment opportunities for scientists in agricultural fields. This program is designed to increase the science teachers’ knowledge of research and enable them to inspire their students to ask questions and provide them with the research skills necessary to help them search for answers. Mini-Institute A total of 20 science teachers currently teaching in grades 7-12 will be selected from the applications to take part in the two-day mini institute at the USDA/ARS Dale Bumper’s Small Farms Research Center in Booneville, Arkansas. Half of the institute will focus on helping the teachers learn about the life cycle of the corn earworm (Helicoverpa zea) and corn and sorghum through lecture and hands-on work in the lab and field. Participants will be shown how to grow the insect in the classroom and how to conduct simple experiments. The other half of the institute will focus on exposing the teachers to the work of some of the research units at the USDA/ARS Small Farms Research Center. Presentations will be made by ARS research scientists to the teachers during the two-day institute. The research focus at ARS is to find solutions to agricultural problems that affect Americans every day from field to table, and each lab has its own focus related to local agriculture. School Program and Visits During the fall or spring semester (2016-2017) the teachers will have their students grow the corn earworm and conduct research projects. The teachers may order the worms for free on a program web page: http://www.hsi.usda.gov/CornEarWorm/. The worms are delivered to the school and shipped from the USDA/ARS Research Center in College Station having been prepared by a technician.
During the academic year Dr. Craig Wilson, Program Director of the Future Scientist Program, visits each of the participating teachers in their schools at least once and works with their students for a day. Sometimes these visits coincide with growing the insects and sometimes not, because teachers decide when insect and plant (corn/sorghum) life cycles best fit into their curriculum in either the fall or spring semester. The Director sees the impact that the project has on students and supports the teachers in their efforts to promote hands-on, inquiry-based science.
Student Research Presentation Days The Student Research Presentation Day is the culmination of the student and teachers’ year-long involvement in the project. The Future Scientists Student Research Presentation Day will be held back at the USDA/ARS lab where the teachers attended their workshop in summer 2016. The day is modeled on a scientific symposium where, watched by their peers, teachers, scientists and parents, the Future Scientists students present their research. It is held on a mutually agreeable day at the end of the school year. Each teacher selects four or five students to present the work of the teacher’s various classes on the project. Parents are encouraged to attend and many make the effort to accompany their child. The format for the day that is held at the lab site: 1) Two hours of student presentations 2) A 30 minute scientist question and answer panel 3) A catered lunch 4) Scientist led interactive tours of research sites at the lab
Teaching Resources In addition to the excellent hands-on instruction, lab work and field work, teachers who participate in the institute will also receive: 1) $200 travel stipend 2) Digital microscope 3) 20 hours of Prof. Development credit through TAMU recognized nationally 4) Free materials/links to USDA/ARS labs and scientists/technicians 5) Lunches during 2-day institute
ARFB ARFB & USDA/HSINP Future Scientists Program 2016 MINI INSTITUTE APPLICATION June 14th & 15th, 2016 ARFB & USDA/ARS/SEA Dale Bumpers Small Farms Research Center (DBSFRC) 6883 South State Highway 23, Booneville, AR 72927 (479) 675-3834 Fall/Spring Classroom Implementation May 2017 – “Student Research Presentation Day”
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** TO BE COMPLETED BY APPLICANT** Describe why you would like to participate in this project (50-100 words). ____________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________ I certify that all information I have provided is complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge. Participant Signature:_____________________________________________Date:_________________________
** TO BE COMPLETED BY PRINCIPAL OR SCIENCE SUPERVISOR** I have reviewed this application and believe that the Future Scientists Mini-Institute will be a beneficial training experience for this teacher. Our school is willing to facilitate use of the mini-institute materials in the participant’s classroom during the semester and to provide release time for the teacher and four students to attend the “Student Research Presentation Day” in May 2017. Dr.
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Signature________________________________________________Date_________________________ Please return completed application to: Craig Wilson, Ph.D. USDA/ARS/SPA Area Office 1001Holleman Drive East College Station, TX 77840 PH: 979/260-9442 CELL: 512/636-9031 FAX: 979/260-9344