Texas Tech's AEC hosts Curriculum for Agricultural Science Education event
More than 35 high school instructors from across the nation were on Texas Tech's campus for a special agricultural science education course last month, said officials of Tech's Department of Agricultural Education and Communications, who hosted the 11-day academic event. The focus was on providing a high-level educational experience to enhance the rigor and relevance of agriculture, food, and natural resources subject matter.
"Coursework enabled participants to have a variety of experiences that provided an overview of the field of agricultural science with a foundation in animal science that could continue throughout their high school year," said Jonathan Ulmer, an associate professor with Tech's Department of Agricultural Education and Communications.
In addition, he said, teachers explored hands-on projects and activities to learn characteristics of animal science, and work on major projects and problems similar to those that agricultural specialists faced in their careers. Some of the courses taught at Texas Tech this summer were 'Agricultural Systems' and 'Introduction to Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources.'
According to program officials, benefits of curriculum implementation were:" Integration of FFA, SAE and life knowledge connections" Alignment with national content standards" Allow students to independently work through hands-on lessons" Reduce stress and preparation for daily lessons" Shift focus to instruction, rather than lesson planning
The Curriculum for Agricultural Science Education project, or CASE for short, was started by the National Council for Agricultural Education in 2007 to implement a national curriculum for secondary agricultural education. Program officials noted that CASE equips teachers to elevate student experiences in the agriculture classroom and prepares students for success in college and careers emphasizing science, technology, engineering and math.
Written by Norman Martin
CONTACT: Jonathan Ulmer, associate professor, Department of Agricultural Education and Communications, Texas Tech University at (806) 834-6672 or jon.ulmer@ttu.edu
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