Professional Development for Science Teachers
This week you can attend two half-day workshops focused on best practices in science education and content enrichment from industry experts. The 2021 On The Farm Virtual Professional Development Program are designed to address Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). These virtual workshops will focus on using agriculture to increase the relevancy and authenticity of content in science classrooms.
Day One: Increasing Relevancy and Authenticity with Phenomena Found in Agriculture
July 27, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. MST (4 free credit hours)
Participants will focus on three-dimensional learning; specifically, using anchoring phenomena to drive student sense-making and problem solving. Disciplinary core ideas will be reinforced through guest speakers from the agricultural community that apply these concepts on a daily basis.
Topics covered:
- Cattle genetics/variability of traits, by Dr. Matt Spangler, University of Nebraska - Lincoln
- Biogenic carbon cycle, by Dr. Frank Mitloehner, University of California - Davis
- Sustainability decisions made by producers, by Joan Ruskamp - J&S Feedlot and Farm
Day Two: Three-Dimensional Assessments using Agricultural Tasks
July 29, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. MST (4 free credit hours)
Participants will focus on three-dimensional learning; specifically, using anchoring phenomena to drive student sense-making and problem solving. Disciplinary core ideas will be reinforced through guest speakers from the agricultural community that apply these concepts on a daily basis.
Topics covered:
- Regenerative grazing & ecosystem dynamics
- Soil health
- Carbon sequestration in agricultural soils
- Carrying capacity of rangeland ecosystems
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Free Journey 2050 Teacher Workshop
Calling all grade 6-12 science, geography, FCS, social studies, agriculture, and CTE teachers!
Looking for a flexible learning program that meets the needs of your curriculum standards while keeping students engaged? Journey 2050 is the answer! Join us for a program overview to learn about program lessons, the virtual game component, and exciting new updates on August 11th from 10:00 AM-11:00 AM MST.
- Door Prizes
- Workshop will be recorded and accessible by request
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Check out these lesson plans and resources from the National Agriculture Curriculum Matrix.
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Community-Based and Informal Science Education Partner Symposium
August 2nd and August 9th from 2:00-3:30 p.m. MST
Gardens, zoos, museums, nature centers, and agricultural groups are like charging stations that power-up learning. As community-based organizations and informal science education partners, we can be important partners in the implementation of Colorado’s New Science Standards by helping to ensure that the knowledge and skills that students gain in one place can easily flow into new contexts, powering further exploration in the classroom and beyond. Join the Colorado Science Education Network and Colorado Department of Education for a symposium to explore the role of community-based science organizations and informal science education partners in implementing three-dimensional learning through the new 2020 Colorado Academic Science Standards.
Session #1: Join us for a panel discussion highlighting the opportunities for community-based and informal science education partners to support 2020 Colorado Academic Science Standards.
Session #2: Join us for an interactive brainstorm and small group discussions to develop strategies to ensure that community-based and informal science education partners can support the implementation of Colorado Science Education Standards and inform overall efforts.
This is a virtual symposium, free to all informal and non-formal educators. Click here to register. If you do any sort of informal agriculture and natural resource education connected to science in your local schools, it is highly recommended that you attend this symposium to learn how to integrate your great work to the new Colorado Science Standards.
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Win $500 and a trip to the 2022 NAITC Conference!
Applications open for the 2022 Outstanding Agriculture in the Classroom Teacher Award
Do you teach your students about food and the environment? Maybe you work with students in a school garden. Or perhaps you have a creative approach for connecting students to their food, fiber, fuel, or natural resources. The Colorado Foundation for Agriculture wants to recognize Colorado educators who teach students about the importance of agriculture through CFA's Outstanding Agriculture in the Classroom Teacher Award.
The award is open to any Colorado teacher currently engaged in teaching at the preK-12 grade levels. The award will be given based on the teacher’s creative efforts to integrate agriculture into his or her instruction and curricula to increase agricultural literacy. An agriculturally literate person is defined as “one who understands and can communicate the source and value of agriculture as it affects our quality of life.”
District certified teachers that are currently engaged in integrating agricultural concepts into non-agricultural education settings at the preK-12 grade levels are eligible. Applications may be from an individual or a team of teachers working together. Middle and high school agricultural educators are not eligible for this award.
The winning Colorado teacher will receive a $500 monetary award and have up to $1,500 of his or her related expenses paid to attend the National Agriculture in the Classroom (NAITC) Conference June 28-July 1, 2022 in Saratoga Springs, New York. Please refer to the application for further eligibility and award information.
The deadline for application submission is October 15, 2021. The application may be found using the links below or contact Jennifer Scharpe, Colorado Foundation for Agriculture executive director at Info@GrowingYourFuture.com or 970-818-3308.
2022 Application
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Ways you can support Colorado Agriculture in the Classroom |
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Link your King Soopers/City Market loyalty card and support the Colorado Foundation for Agriculture every time you shop. Visit the King Soopers Community Rewards page to sign up for this free program. |
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You Shop. Amazon Gives. Every time you shop, AmazonSmile donates to the Colorado Foundation for Agriculture. |
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The Colorado Foundation for Agriculture is a 501(c)3 nonprofit education corporation. Our mission is connecting Colorado educators and students to their food, fiber, fuel, and natural resources through the Agriculture in the Classroom® program.
You can support our efforts to advance agricultural literacy by making your tax-deductible gift today at https://bit.ly/givecfa.
Giving is not just about making a donation.
It's about making a difference!
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Colorado Foundation for Agriculture | 970-818-3308 | GrowingYourFuture.com |
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10343 Federal Blvd Unit J Box 224, Westminster, CO 80260 |
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