WEST DES MOINES, Iowa – April 14, 2020– Two-day professional development workshops for teachers will be offered throughout the summer and around the state by the Iowa Agriculture Literacy Foundation and partner organizations.

            The workshops will help teachers apply Iowa Core standards including social studies, and science in the context of agriculture. The workshops will also use agriculture to teach other core concepts and skills like language arts and math. The workshops will be hands on and are planned to be interactive with one day of site visits and tours and one day of practical classroom application. The events are planned as in-person events but can be converted to an online format to ensure health and safety concerns don’t allow for the in-person events. Many STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) concepts will be integrated throughout.

            “After taking the course I am amazed by the complexity of farming,” said 2019 workshop participant, Heather Terhune. “There is so much more to agriculture than I even realized, and I can't wait to share this with my students. I think this course was an amazing reminder of the importance of hands-on learning. Agriculture is the perfect hands-on topic to learn about in my classroom. Throughout the course both days my mind was going crazy with ideas and ways to incorporate agriculture into my science, math, reading, and writing.”

            The dates of the workshops are June 8-9 in Washington, IA; June 9-10 in Hampton, IA; June 10-11 in Burlington, IA; June 15-16 in Independence, IA; June 16-17 in Harlan, IA; June 17-18 in Oskaloosa, IA; June 18-19 in Sioux City, IA; July 9-10 in Elkader, IA; July 13-14 in Ames, IA; August 6-7 in Grundy Center, IA; and August 6-7 in Spencer, IA. The workshops will include lesson demonstration, hands on implementation of concepts, tours of farms and agribusinesses, and technical skills in agriculture. The workshops will be available for teacher recertification credit and graduate level credit.

“I've recommended this class to a lot of teachers since our session ended. I really enjoyed all the trips and lessons we learned,” said Andrew Severson who attended a workshop in 2019. “I think the biggest impact in my learning was the amount of research and science involved in producing quality seeds. I was amazed on how much experimentation has to be done to make improvements in farming and seed production.”

            Workshops are made possible by supporters of the Iowa Agriculture Literacy Foundation including the Silos and Smokestacks National Heritage Area, Bayer, REAP Conservation Education Program, and Farm Credit Services of America with additional support from Iowa Corn Growers Association, Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, Iowa Pork Producers Association, Corteva Agriscience, GROWMARK, and the Iowa Beef Industry Council. To find out more about workshops in your area visit www.IowaAgLiteracy.org, email info@iowaagliteracy.org or call 515-331-4182.

 

 

Date: June 8 & 9, 2020

Location: Washington, Iowa

Title: Soil and Water to Food and Fuel

Description: This fast-paced professional development will give teachers, extension personnel, and others who educate youth the skills they need to implement many of the new Iowa Core social studies standards. Using agriculture as the context to teach science and social studies standards, course participants will integrate agriculture into science, social studies, language arts and math to make learning real and relevant for students. Participants will leave the workshop with instructional strategies, lessons, and activities that can be immediately implemented into their classroom with little or no additional effort. Student engagement and impact will be high with hands-on learning. During one day of the course participants will see agricultural practices that improve soil health and water quality. They will learn about technology in pork production and manure management. They will learn about technology in spraying herbicides with precision to minimize negative effects. They will learn about taking and testing soil samples and applying fertilizers in the right place, at the right time, in the right amount, and from the right source. The second day of the course will focus on implementing lessons learned, connecting learning to science and social studies, and making it relevant to student learners.

Register to attend: Graduate credit is available through Drake University, Grand View University, or Morningside College for $130. Licensure renewal credit is available from AEA for $35. Registration can be done online by creating an account in the Professional Learning Registration System. Once an account is created (which could take up to 24 hours), login and search for the course number 189497. Then follow the links to register for the course.

 

Date: June 9 & 10, 2020

Location: Hampton, Iowa

Title: Farming Then & Now

Description:  This fast-paced professional development will give teachers, extension personnel, and others who educate youth the skills they need to implement many of the Iowa Core social studies and science standards. Using agriculture as the context to teach core standards, course participants will integrate agriculture into science, social studies, language arts and math to make learning real and relevant for students. Participants will leave the workshop with instructional strategies, lessons, and activities that can be immediately implemented into their classroom with little or no additional effort. Student engagement and impact will be high with hands-on learning. Students will venture out of the classroom both days to see how agriculture has changed over time. They will visit Tyden Farm No. 6 and see farm buildings, tractors, and equipment that were cutting-edge farm technology in the early and mid-1900’s.  On the second day, they will visit a modern corn, soybean, and cattle farm to learn about agriculture technology of today and tomorrow.  During both farm visits, teachers will see how agriculture has changed over the years and learn how technology has been applied to improve agricultural practices and produce food, fiber and fuel.  During the in-class time participants will dive into the social studies & science standards, explore resources, and work with staff from the Iowa Agriculture Literacy Foundation, North Central Iowa Ag in the Classroom, and Silos and Smokestacks National Heritage Area to translate what they learned from the tours into lessons for their students.

Register to attend:  Graduate credit is available through Drake University, Grand View University, or Morningside College for $130. Licensure renewal credit is available from AEA for $35. Registration can be done online by creating an account in the Professional Learning Registration System. Once an account is created (which could take up to 24 hours), login and search for the course number 189655. Then follow the links to register for the course.

 

Date: June 10 & 11, 2020

Location: Burlington, Iowa

Title: Food, Fiber, and Fuel

Description: This fast-paced professional development will give teachers, extension personnel, and others who educate youth the skills they need to implement many of the new Iowa Core social studies standards. Using agriculture as the context to teach science and social studies standards, course participants will integrate agriculture into science, social studies, language arts and math to make learning real and relevant for students. Participants will leave the workshop with instructional strategies, lessons, and activities that can be immediately implemented into their classroom with little or no additional effort. Student engagement and impact will be high with hands-on learning. During one day of the course participants will tour an ethanol plant to learn how corn is converted into fuel. Participants will tour an alpaca farm and explore fiber production. Participants will tour an implement dealer to learn about technology and engineering applied in agriculture. A second day of the course will also focus on implementing lessons learned, connecting learning to science and social studies, and making it relevant to student learners.

Register to attend:  Graduate credit is available through Drake University, Grand View University, or Morningside College for $130. Licensure renewal credit is available from AEA for $35. Registration can be done online by creating an account in the Professional Learning Registration System. Once an account is created (which could take up to 24 hours), login and search for the course number 189507. Then follow the links to register for the course.

 

Date: June 15 & 16, 2020

Location: Independence, Iowa

Title: Dairy and Pork and Beef, Oh My!

Description:   This fast-paced professional development will give teachers, extension personnel, and others who educate youth the skills they need to implement many of the new Iowa Core social studies standards. Using agriculture as the context to teach science and social studies standards, course participants will integrate agriculture into science, social studies, language arts and math to make learning real and relevant for students. Participants will leave the workshop with instructional strategies, lessons, and activities that can be immediately implemented into their classroom with little or no additional effort. Student engagement and impact will be high with hands-on learning. During one day of the course participants will see veterinary medicine, a modern dairy, and a vegetable and fresh cut flower farm. Participants will tour exhibits and a museum of agricultural innovations, implements and displays to gain a better understanding of agriculture. The second day of the course will focus on implementing lessons learned, connecting learning to science and social studies, and making it relevant to student learners.

Register to attend:  Graduate credit is available through Drake University, Grand View University, or Morningside College for $130. Licensure renewal credit is available from AEA for $35. Registration can be done online by creating an account in the Professional Learning Registration System. Once an account is created (which could take up to 24 hours), login and search for the course number 189498. Then follow the links to register for the course.

 

Date: June 16 & 17, 2020

Location: Harlan, Iowa

Title: Education & Agriculture: Fields of Opportunities

Description: This fast-paced professional development will give teachers, extension personnel, and others who educate youth the skills they need to implement many of the Iowa Core social studies and science standards. Using agriculture as the context to teach core standards, course participants will integrate agriculture into science, social studies, language arts and math to make learning real and relevant for students. Participants will leave the workshop with instructional strategies, lessons, and activities that can be immediately implemented into their classroom with little or no additional effort. Student engagement and impact will be high with hands-on learning. During the first day of the onsite workshop participants will venture out of the classroom to learn about the agriculture industry first-hand while visiting two diversified farms, an agricultural equipment dealership, and a veterinary practice. Producers and other experts will showcase how agriculture uses technology to ensure economic and environmental sustainability, overcome challenges, and create opportunities for multiple generations. The second day of the course will focus on implementing lessons learned, connecting learning to science and social studies, and making it relevant to student learners.

Register to attend:  Graduate credit is available through Drake University, Grand View University, or Morningside College for $130. Licensure renewal credit is available from AEA for $35. Registration can be done online by creating an account in the Professional Learning Registration System. Once an account is created (which could take up to 24 hours), login and search for the course number 189656. Then follow the links to register for the course.

 

Date: June 17 & 18, 2020

Location: Oskaloosa, Iowa

Title: Impossible to Imagine: A Day Without Agriculture

Description: This fast-paced professional development will give teachers, extension personnel, and others who educate youth the skills they need to implement many of the new Iowa Core social studies standards. Using agriculture as the context to teach science and social studies standards, course participants will integrate agriculture into science, social studies, language arts and math to make learning real and relevant for students. Participants will leave the workshop with instructional strategies, lessons, and activities that can be immediately implemented into their classroom with little or no additional effort. Student engagement and impact will be high with hands-on learning. During one day of the course participants will tour a dairy, a row crop farm, a vegetable farm, and a cattle farm to see how food is produced. Participants will tour and egg processing facility to see how food is transformed into the goods we use every day. Participants will tour a wind turbine and an ethanol trailer to learn how agriculture produces fuel and energy. Participants will also tour a historic farm to see how agriculture has changed throughout history. During a second day of the course will also focus on implementing lessons learned, connecting learning to science and social studies, and making it relevant to student learners.

Register to attend:  Graduate credit is available through Drake University, Grand View University, or Morningside College for $130. Licensure renewal credit is available from AEA for $35. Registration can be done online by creating an account in the Professional Learning Registration System. Once an account is created (which could take up to 24 hours), login and search for the course number 189503. Then follow the links to register for the course.

 

Date: June 18 & 19, 2020

Location: Sioux City, Iowa

Title: Learning from Kernel to Kitchen

Description:  This fast-paced professional development will give teachers, extension personnel, and others who educate youth the skills they need to implement many of the Iowa Core social studies and science standards. Using agriculture as the context to teach core standards, course participants will integrate agriculture into science, social studies, language arts and math to make learning real and relevant for students. Participants will leave the workshop with instructional strategies, lessons, and activities that can be immediately implemented into their classroom with little or no additional effort. Student engagement and impact will be high with hands-on learning. During the first day of the onsite workshop participants will venture out of the classroom to visit popcorn, sweet corn, and field corn farms and tour a popcorn company. They will learn about innovation and technology has been applied to corn production and processing. They will talk to growers and compare production and marketing methods used for the three types of corn. The second day of the course will focus on implementing lessons learned, connecting learning to science and social studies, and making it relevant to student learners.

Register to attend:  Graduate credit is available through Drake University, Grand View University, or Morningside College for $130. Licensure renewal credit is available from AEA for $35. Registration can be done online by creating an account in the Professional Learning Registration System. Once an account is created (which could take up to 24 hours), login and search for the course number 189657. Then follow the links to register for the course.

 

Date: July 9 & 10, 2020

Location: Elkader, Iowa

Title: Farm to Factory: Agribusiness in Iowa

Description:  This fast-paced professional development will give teachers, extension personnel, and others who educate youth the skills they need to implement many of the new Iowa Core social studies standards. Using agriculture as the context to teach science and social studies standards, course participants will integrate agriculture into science, social studies, language arts and math to make learning real and relevant for students. Participants will leave the workshop with instructional strategies, lessons, and activities that can be immediately implemented into their classroom with little or no additional effort. Student engagement and impact will be high with hands-on learning. During one day of the course participants will see a agriculture and agribusiness transformed throughout history. They will learn about innovation and technology that has been applied to improve agricultural practices and produce food, fiber, and fuel for the world. They will tour museum exhibits that highlight the importance of agriculture and mechanization. They will learn how grain is milled and transported. Experts, researchers, and specialists will share information on grain transportation, precision agriculture, robotics, and historic partner sites. The second day of the course will focus on implementing lessons learned, connecting learning to science and social studies, and making it relevant to student learners.

Register to attend:  Graduate credit is available through Drake University, Grand View University, or Morningside College for $130. Licensure renewal credit is available from AEA for $35. Registration can be done online by creating an account in the Professional Learning Registration System. Once an account is created (which could take up to 24 hours), login and search for the course number 189494. Then follow the links to register for the course.

 

Date: July 13 & 14, 2020

Location: Huxley, Iowa

Title: Planting to Pizza: Food, Farming & Technology

Description: This fast-paced professional development will give teachers, extension personnel, and others who educate youth the skills they need to implement many of the Iowa Core social studies and science standards. Using agriculture as the context to teach core standards, course participants will integrate agriculture into science, social studies, language arts and math to make learning real and relevant for students. Participants will leave the workshop with instructional strategies, lessons, and activities that can be immediately implemented into their classroom with little or no additional effort. Student engagement and impact will be high with hands-on learning. During the first day of the onsite workshop participants will venture out of the classroom to learn about the agriculture industry first-hand while a crop science company, precision agriculture business, and a food processing facility. Participants will see crop demonstration plots, solar energy equipment, pizza toping processing, and more. Experts will showcase how the agriculture uses technology and data to ensure environmental sustainability and safe, affordable food that meets consumer needs. The second day of the course will focus on implementing lessons learned, connecting learning to science and social studies, and making it relevant to student learners.

Register to attend:  Graduate credit is available through Drake University, Grand View University, or Morningside College for $130. Licensure renewal credit is available from AEA for $35. Registration can be done online by creating an account in the Professional Learning Registration System. Once an account is created (which could take up to 24 hours), login and search for the course number 189666. Then follow the links to register for the course.

 

Date: August 6 & 7, 2020

Location: Grundy Center, Iowa

Title: Flying High with Agriculture: Drones, Pollinators, and More

Description: This fast-paced professional development will give teachers, extension personnel, and others who educate youth the skills they need to implement many of the Iowa Core social studies and science standards. Using agriculture as the context to teach core standards, course participants will integrate agriculture into science, social studies, language arts and math to make learning real and relevant for students. Participants will leave the workshop with instructional strategies, lessons, and activities that can be immediately implemented into their classroom with little or no additional effort. Student engagement and impact will be high with hands-on learning. During the workshop participants will venture out of the classroom to learn about Iowa’s natural resources and agriculture first-hand while visiting a farm, pollinator garden, monarch observatory, and a mobile ag technology. Producers and other experts will showcase how farmers use science and technology to ensure environmental and economic sustainability. The in-class time will focus on implementing lessons learned, connecting learning to science and social studies, and making it relevant to student learners.

Register to attend:  Graduate credit is available through Drake University, Grand View University, or Morningside College for $130. Licensure renewal credit is available from AEA for $35. Registration can be done online by creating an account in the Professional Learning Registration System. Once an account is created (which could take up to 24 hours), login and search for the course number 189667. Then follow the links to register for the course.

 

Date: August 6 & 7, 2020

Location: Spencer, Iowa

Title: Increasing Educational Yield

Description:  This fast-paced professional development will give teachers, extension personnel, and others who educate youth the skills they need to implement many of the new Iowa Core social studies standards. Using agriculture as the context to teach science and social studies standards, course participants will integrate agriculture into science, social studies, language arts and math to make learning real and relevant for students. Participants will leave the workshop with instructional strategies, lessons, and activities that can be immediately implemented into their classroom with little or no additional effort. Student engagement and impact will be high with hands-on learning. During the two-day course participants will tour implement dealers to learn about technology that is applied agriculture. Participants will tour research growth plots and livestock facilities to learn about the science that is integrated throughout agriculture. Participants will also tour a tractor museum to see how engineering practices have advance through history to modern day equipment. Time during the course will also focus on implementing lessons learned, connecting learning to science and social studies, and making it relevant to student learners.

Register to attend:  Graduate credit is available through Drake University, Grand View University, or Morningside College for $130. Licensure renewal credit is available from AEA for $35. Registration can be done online by creating an account in the Professional Learning Registration System. Once an account is created (which could take up to 24 hours), login and search for the course number 189502. Then follow the links to register for the course.

 

 

 

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About the Iowa Agriculture Literacy Foundation

IALF serves as a central resource for educators and volunteers who want to teach Iowa’s students about agriculture.  The mission is to educate Iowans, with a focus on youth, regarding the breadth and global significance of agriculture.  Iowa is a leading producer of agricultural products that are essential to feed a growing world population, estimated to reach more than 9 billion by 2050.  IALF believes it is important for all Iowans to understand the essential role agriculture has in their lives.  IALF will support existing agriculture education efforts such as FFA, 4-H and Ag in the Classroom.  IALF was created through a joint effort of agricultural stakeholders, including the Iowa Corn Growers Association, Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, Iowa Pork Producers Association, Iowa Soybean Association, Silos and Smokestacks Foundation, Corteva Agriscience, GROWMARK, and the Iowa Beef Industry Council.  For more information visit IALF online at www.IowaAgLiteracy.org, on Facebook, and Twitter.