“I didn’t know I can be a graphic designer AND work in agriculture.” –Alex
“I want to be an animal nutritionist because I like science and math.”
–Vanessa
These are just two of the responses generated by 460 students who recently experienced “Exploring STEM Careers in Agriculture” lessons. The presentations were conducted
in 20 fifth grade classrooms around the county.
Volunteer Mindy Smits reviews the definition of agriculture with fifth graders at Lincoln Elementary.
During the presentation, students explored a wide variety of farm and non-farm jobs. Each student studied a photo and description of a different career. They answered questions about what areas of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) the career might involve, what it might be like to work in that career, why the career is important to society, and whether or not they thought they would enjoy working in that job.
In small groups and as a class, students shared what they had learned about their agricultural career. Then the fifth graders reinforced their new knowledge by playing several rounds of “STEM Career Bingo.”
Volunteer Bronwyn Burgweger engages in dicsussion with a group of Jefferson Elementary students.
Emphasizing the idea that there are many facets of the industry, the presentations were delivered by volunteers from various areas of agriculture, including soil conservation, education, finance, insurance, public policy, and farm management.
Volunteer presenters for the program included Katie Betz, Bronwyn Burgweger, Landon Faivre, Dean Johnson, Eric Lawler, Kevin McArtor, Bob Pritchard, Danielle Rudsinski, Mindy Smitz, and Beth White.