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 science and language arts in the context of agriculture. The workshops will also use agriculture to teach other core concepts and skills like social studies and math. The workshops will be hands on and interactive with one day of site visits and tours and one day of practical classroom application. Many STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) concepts will be integrated throughout.
“The tours were great. They really exposed me to strategies I can use in my classroom that I can use with my students,” said Kathy Kleen, a workshop participant in 2016.
The dates of the workshops are June 5-6 in Clarinda, IA; June 8-9 in Oskaloosa, IA; June 12-13 in Moville, IA; June 29-30 in Donnellson, IA; July 11-12 in La Porte City, IA; August 1-2 in Spencer, IA; August 7-8 in Peosta, IA; and August 7-8 in Sioux City, 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.
“The format was great. Tours, hands on and received information. Nice mix,” said 2016 workshop teacher participant Doug James. Molly Crom said, “I really enjoyed the tours…I am a true hands-on, visual learner!”
Workshops are made possible by supporters of the Iowa Agriculture Literacy Foundation, including the Iowa Energy Center, the REAP Conservation Education Program, and Hy-Vee with additional support from Iowa Corn Growers Association, Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, Iowa Pork Producers Association, DuPont Pioneer, Silos and Smokestacks National Heritage Area, GROWMARK, and the Iowa Beef Industry Council. To find out more about workshops in your area, visit www.IowaAgLiteracy.org, e-mail info@iowaagliteracy.org or call (515) 331-4182.
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