Meeting Pattern

• Wednesday, June 19 {9:00 a.m. - 4:00; 5:30 - 8:30 p.m.}
• Thursday, June 20 {9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.}

Description

The workshop will engage environmental, chemistry and biology teachers and biotechnology instructors in hands-on, inquiry-based lessons focused on integrating the science of modern food production into their classrooms and career technical education programs.

The goals for participants include:

• Investigating impacts of modern farming practices on soil and water system.
• Exploring the scientific basis of biotechnology uses in agriculture.
• Producing biofuels to understand how fuel production mitigates climate change and increases energy independence.
• Understanding the impact of food production on environmental issues, sustainability, and nutrition around the world. Increasing awareness of careers in the industry. 

The two-day workshop will include protocols for making biodiesel (from soybeans) and ethanol (from corn) in the classroom, a trip to an ethanol plant, dinner with industry professionals and researchers, and activities on biotechnology, water quality, soil health, populations and plant science.

Syllabus, Objectives, and Outcomes

Objectives:

Participants will:

• know the advantages of biofuels; 
• understand soil health and water quality measures to assess soil and water; and the biotechnology methods being used in the agriculture industry; 
• be able to create and test biofuels; compare corn and soy using plant science concepts; compare farming methods in the US vs less developed countries and apply population demographics models to predict population impacts.

Required Student Resources:

Participants will need to bring a device to access the internet.

Campus Map - https://www.ndsu.edu/pubweb/homepage/CampusMap_2pg.pdf

Parking passes will be provided.

"THE COURSE PROVIDED A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLORE CURRICULUM WITH HANDS ON LESSONS, AND TEACHERS WERE PROVIDED WITH MATERIALS TO DO LESSONS WITH THEIR STUDENTS."

"THE HANDS-ON ASPECT WAS GREAT AND LOVED GETTING TIPS AND TRICKS FROM PEOPLE WHO HAD DONE THESE LABS BEFORE."

"THE WHOLE CLASS WAS A TOP-NOTCH EXPERIENCE."

"THE CONTENT WAS VERY PRACTICAL AND APPLICABLE TO MY BIOLOGY & ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE CLASSES. INFORMATION WAS PRESENTED IN A VERY THOROUGH AND HANDS ON WAY."

"THE PRACTICES ACTUALLY COMPLETING LABS WAS AWESOME. I FEEL READY TO TEACH THESE LESSONS TO MY STUDENTS."

"GREAT WORKSHOP - ONE OF THE BEST I HAVE ATTENDED! I WOULD RECOMMEND TO ANYONE FOR FUTURE CLASSES TO TAKE."