Faculty Development Workshops

 

View the 2008 AgrowKnowledge Faculty Development Workshops

AgrowKnowledge offers a series of standardize workshops that infuse math, science and technology skills into ag curriculums. The primary audience is secondary and post-secondary educators. The workshops offered enable instructors to teach content relevant to new and emerging careers in agriculture, food and natural resources.

If you would like to host a Faculty Development Workshop AgrowKnowledge has the following workshops available providing standardized curriculum, curricular activities to enhance your classroom, AgrowKnowledge certified trainers and training on your schedule. The workshop topics AgrowKnowledge markets and delivers are:

If you wish to host a workshop, or would like more information, please contact AgrowKnowledge for more information.

 

Features common to all workshops

  • Colleges, universities, state institutions, and departments of education may apply to host a workshop
  • Standard evaluative methods are employed to assure course integrity and to obtain statistical data for reporting impact and outcomes for each workshop held.
  • The host institution sets its own budget, determines fees, and secures additional industry or agency funding as needed to cover all costs.
  • AgrowKnowledge works with the host site to coordinates the scheduling, identifying a certified workshop facilitator, site, placement and evaluation of workshops.
  • The learning is dynamic and hands-on allowing educators to internalize the concepts presented.
  • The target audience is secondary and two-year post-secondary educators.
  • Participants are provided with appropriate technology tools and shown how to use them in real-world applications.
  • Participants receive curriculum resources for use in their classrooms.

Opportunity
AgrowKnowledge builds self-sustaining national partnerships among business and industry and multi-levels of education. In the ever changing world of agriculture it is essential that educators continue to enhance their knowledge and understanding of the skills needed by employers

AgrowKnowledge has conducted 25 faculty development workshops with 570 instructors in attendance drawing participants from more than 150 difference educational institutions throughout the U.S. Over 28,500 students are benefiting from the information through these instructors are 28,500.

AgrowKnowledge workshops are based on:

  • Review and practice with currently available educational resources
  • Delivery and educational methodology for enhanced student learning
  • Development of action plans by participants for integration of materials
  • Availability of college graduate credit varies by workshops

Biotechnology I
Basic content knowledge and laboratory skills for biotechnology are presented covering the topics of:  genetic engineering, bacterial transformation, protein purification, DNA extraction and DNA fingerprinting. Participants learn about sources for support and equipment. Biotechnology I is a prerequisite for attending Biotechnology II.

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Biotechnology II
Focusing on agricultural biotechnology participants learn about the use of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), protein fingerprinting, DNA extraction and bio-informatics. Participants become aware of sources for equipment and support. Biotechnology I is a prerequisite for attending this workshop.

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Biofuels/Alternative Energy Sources
There is a pressing need to learn about the development of alternative and renewable forms of energy. Participants learn about: bio-fuels (bio-diesel, ethanol, and methane), wind power, solar power, geothermal, and hydrogen power/fuel cells.

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Entrepreneurship in Agriculture
There are an increasing number of opportunities for ag entrepreneurs. Participants receive an overview of entrepreneurship and learn to use a customized software to guide their students through the process of  identifying and developing agricultural business opportunities.

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Introduction to GPS in Agriculture Food and Natural Resources (AFNR)
What is GPS and how it functions in agriculture is the focus of this workshop. Participants use a GPS receiver to display GPS satellite configuration, collect locations, set and navigate to waypoints, and collect data. Error and correction of locational data is also covered.

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Introduction to GIS in AFNR
What is GIS and how it functions in agriculture is the focus of this workshop. Participants use ArcView 9.2 and/or ArcExplorer (depending on what is available to the participants) to display local data layers, edit maps, query data, analyze data, and create a map. Examples of projects and ag applications are discussed.

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Introductory Agricultural Data Collection
Participants learn introductory field data collection techniques by using a simple handheld GPS to collect points and attributes from the local area. These points and attributes are then used to create a viewable table in ArcView. An aerial photo and other data are employed to check for accuracy.

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Geospatial Data Collection
In-depth knowledge of field data collection methods used by precision farming specialists are learned through the use of hand held computers with GPS units and field software. Soil samples are taken and crop scouting is conducted. A yield monitor system is reviewed and raw yield data is processed to a yield map. Specific sampling techniques and joining data together in a GIS is covered.

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Introduction to GIS Decision Making in Agriculture
Using GIS specific analytical techniques such as query, statistical summaries, and normalizations to demonstrate the concept of turning data into information, the concept of determining cause and effect and interpreting data by creating an interpretative map are topics introduced in this workshop.

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Ag Spatial Analysis
Advanced techniques in analysis, building interpretative maps allow participants to gain experience in the use of techniques such as interpolation, reclassification, and map calculator to create suitability maps and zonal statistic charts. The concept that data layers can be combined, categorized and compared to create answers to questions is a key objective.

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Applied Math and Science Workshops
Participants learn to use a graphing/statistical calculator, data collection units and various sensors and probes applied ton environmental, animal technology and plant and soil science. Participants will learn to:

  • Monitor and evaluate the environment and natural resources such as water quality, water flow, vegetation and biodiversity.
  • Measure, monitor and evaluating the animal environment to insure the health of the animals and the humans caring animals by collecting data on space, temperature, humidity, ventilation, odor (gases), and in the case of fish in aquaculture includes the space, temperature and dissolved gases like oxygen, carbon dioxide, ammonia, and the pH.
  • Conduct experiments using carbon dioxide and oxygen sensors to measure oxygen production/usage rates then statistically evaluate the results and use the pH, temperature, and colorimeter to answer questions about soil biology, erosion, and physics.

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