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USA - Teaching science through the lens of agriculture - Free science educator workshop part of “Year of the Farmer”


Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
June 18, 2015

Keeping middle school students engaged with science is essential to inspiring innovators of the future, and a free science workshop being offered as part of the “Year of the Farmer” gives Indiana teachers tools to teach science through the lens of agriculture. In partnership with Dow AgroSciences, the Indiana State Fair will host a Teacher Development Workshop on Saturday, June 27, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for middle school science teachers at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis and the Indiana State Museum are also leading several of the five interactive workshops for the teachers who will receive curriculum and classroom supplies to take back to their schools, as well as receive one Continuing Education Unit for participating. One-hundred spots are available for teachers who can sign-up here

Science learning opportunities are extended beyond the workshop as teachers will also have the opportunity to sign-up their classrooms for a free field trip to the 2015 Indiana State Fair based on one of the workshops. In addition, the educators will be able to engage in virtual sessions with Dow AgroSciences’ Science Ambassador Team throughout the year. 

“Teachers are the front line in STEM education, so everyone wins as we help them with ideas and resources to take back to their classes and keep kids excited about science,” said David Sousa, Public Affairs Manager, Dow AgroSciences.  “Agriculture provides the perfect backdrop for engaging activities that help middle school students explore science.” 

A wide range of topics linking science with agriculture will be covered in five sessions including: 

Chemistry—This workshop will explore the exciting world of chemistry with three hands-on experiments that examine the properties of mixtures and solutions including making Goofy Putty, chromatography and water diffusion with polymer crystals. 

Agricultural Biotechnology—Staff from the Biotechnology Learning Center, located at The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, will share curriculum and interactive lessons related to agriculture biotechnology. 

Garbage Can Botany—Activities in this workshop will demonstrate the principles of plant reproduction, using items that are often tossed away or recycled. 

Avoiding Predation – Entomology—Teachers will receive a lesson that is sure to capture the imagination of students as they examine a variety of techniques used by insects to escape being prey for other creatures. 

So You Think You Can FarmIndiana State Museum will lead this workshop which will instruct teachers to work with students to make decisions on their own "farms." It is harder than one might think to determine the type of corn seed to plant, how to plant it, all while learning more about the sciences involved in farming and the sustainable practices farmers use today.   

“This workshop allows teachers to enhance science lessons and help engage their students into the world of agriculture, a subject that is important to sustaining and enhancing human life,” said Stephanie DeCamp, Indiana State Fair Education Director. 

For more information about educational opportunities at the Indiana State Fair, visit www.thebarnsatindianastatefairgrounds.com

 

About Indiana State Fair Commission
The Indiana State Fair Commission is a quasi-governmental agency that oversees year-round management of the fairgrounds. The Commission operates as an eight member body that is governor appointed and hires an executive director to implement the policies of the Commission. Established in 1892, the fairgrounds is a modern public event facility that annually hosts more than 300 meetings, shows, sports and agriculture events, including the Indiana State Fair. The Indiana State Fair was first held in 1852 and is the state’s largest multi-day event celebrating the Hoosier spirit and agricultural heritage. The fairgrounds is one of Indiana’s top tourist destinations annually attracting 2 million visitors to its 250-acre campus in Indianapolis’ Midtown district and adding $124 million to the local economy. The Commission’s mission is to preserve and enhance the Indiana State Fairgrounds and the annual Indiana State Fair for the benefit of all citizens of Indiana. Additional information is available at www.indianastatefair.com

About Dow AgroSciences
Dow AgroSciences discovers, develops, and brings to market crop protection and plant biotechnology solutions for the growing world. Based in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, Dow AgroSciences is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company and had annual global sales of $7.3 billion in 2014. Learn more at www.dowagro.com. Follow Dow AgroSciences on FacebookTwitterLinkedIn, and Google+



More news from: Dow AgroSciences LLC


Website: http://www.dowagro.com

Published: June 19, 2015

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