Monday, November 5, 2007
31-1

Integrating Agricultural Science into Middle School, High School, and Alternative School Science Curriculums.

Justin Moss, University of Wyoming, Sheridan Research & Extension Center, Sheridan, WY 82801 and Joel Helmer, Oklahoma State University, Department of Geography, Stillwater, OK 74078.

Middle school and high school student's classroom experiences are very influential in determining their future educational interest. The Rural Alliance for Improving Science Education (RAISE) was initiated at Oklahoma State University in cooperation with three rural school districts. Graduate student scientist were teamed with middle school and high school (grades 6-12) science, mathematics, technology, and agriculture teachers to integrate geographic information systems, global positioning systems, and remote sensing technologies into their respective curriculums. A similar project was initiated at the University of Wyoming (UW) in cooperation with the Wyoming Girls Reform School (grades 6-12). A UW scientist integrated agricultural science concepts and lesson plans into the existing science curriculum. Evaluation of the overall projects, student outcomes, and student perceptions of agricultural science will be discussed.