Celebrating Food & Agriculture in Delaware & MORE!

Celebrating Food & Agriculture

at the Delaware State Fair and around the First State

This month’s Newsletter highlights several key documents and articles which remind us how important science and math skills are to every student (and adult) in Delaware and the nation. Although many think STEM skills are only for those who become scientists and engineers, more than half of the careers and jobs in the U.S. require critical STEM skills. It is our job to point toward that goal with excitement and encourage every child to pursue science, math and related skills.

A recent tour of the Delaware State Fair proved how easy it is to find STEM in our state’s largest industry, Food and Ag, alongside other products and technologies. We were pleased to see STEM quite visible in FFA, 4-H and DNREC exhibits and conversations. Clearly UD, DSU and DTCC exhibits also highlighted STEM. As a major advocate of increasing a high quality Delaware STEM workforce, we encourage businesses to work harder at making products appear exciting to kids and parents

at the Fair.

The short article from Corteva Agriscience™ conveys how they work in getting this message out with excitement both in Delaware and nationally.

Also, we take a look at what “Green and Blue Economies” are. Loosely speaking, Green Economies focus on sustainable, high-tech production of Food and Agriculture. Blue Economies are a subset of Green Economies, where states with ocean front properties use coastal resources for food such as aquaculture, ocean-based industries such as wind turbines, transportation and tourism.

We hope you enjoy this edition!

Randy G., DFSME Executive Director

Delaware Agriculture - FFA Award Winners

Laurel FFA:

Brayden Hearn and Joey Nowotny are National Finalists in the Agriscience Fair event and will be continuing in the competition at the 94th National FFA Convention & Expo in October 2021.

Matt Wood has been awarded National Teacher Ambassador for FFA.

The Laurel FFA also received a ‘Grant for Growing’ from the National FFA.

Milford FFA:

Olivia Aten is the winner of a National Teacher Ambassador for FFA.

The Milford FFA also received a 3-Star National Chapter Award from National FFA.

The Milford FFA is also the winner of the inaugural Fantastic Fair Award for winning the most points with their exhibits and entries at the fair.

National Association of Agriculture Educators (NAAE) and

Delaware Association of Agriculture Educators (DAAE) Award Winners

OUTSTANDING TEACHER: Sarah Bell
OUTSTANDING EARLY TEACHER: Katie Hawkins
OUTSTANDING PROGRAM: Appoquinimink High School
TEACHER MENTOR: Marian Handlin
OUTSTANDING COOPERATION: Delaware Farm Bureau
OUTSTANDING SERVICE: Stephen Cook
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT: Julia Emerson
OUTSTANDING POST-SECONDARY: Delaware Young Farmers & Ranchers

TEACHER TURN THE KEY: Terra Eby, Region VI winner and will be representative at the National NAAE conference.

IDEAS UNLIMITED: Lauren Ruskey, Region VI winner and will be representative at the National NAAE Conference.

These teachers and students have much to celebrate and be proud of, especially with COVID-19 being a factor. There are many other individual placings and awards as well.

Congratulations to All!

What Are Green and Blue Economies?

The green economy is defined as an economy that aims at reducing environmental risks, and that aims for sustainable development without degrading the environment. It is closely related with ecological economics. Therefore, blue economy is a part of green economy.

Blue economy is a term in economics relating to the exploitation, preservation and regeneration of the marine environment. Its scope of interpretation varies among organizations. However, the term is generally used in the scope of International development when describing a sustainable development approach to coastal resources. This can include a wide range of economic sectors, from the more conventional fisheries, aquaculture, maritime transport, Coastal, marine and maritime tourism, or other traditional uses, to more emergent spaces such as coastal renewable energy, marine ecosystem services (i.e. blue carbon), seabed mining, and bioprospecting.

Meet Heather, our Delaware State Veterinarian

The State Veterinarian (SV) is the Chief of Animal Health in Delaware. The Chief has the responsibility of maintaining healthy animals in the state and makes decisions about disease control that will be most efficacious to stop the spread of contagious diseases in animals.

Heather Hirst, our Delaware State Veterinarian, administers programs to test animals for disease and takes action when infection is found. She works with other SVs and federal animal health officials to cooperatively maintain programs that promote healthy animals. Usually the SV only has authority for animals of agriculture, but this varies by state. Some SV’s have authority for dogs, cats, exotic animals, aquatic animals, and others.

“Education required to be an SV includes three to four years of

undergraduate study in a field of science plus 4 years of graduate study

at a college of veterinary medicine. All STEM courses are beneficial.

The more STEM you take in high school, the easier it will be in college to achieve a GPA needed to be accepted to vet school, usually a minimum of 3.50.

Anatomy and physiology, advanced biology, chemistry, animal science, genetics, zoology, and animal husbandry are real pluses.”

– Heather L. Hirst, DVM MS

To download this STEM Career Profile and share with students, click here.

STEM BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

Sustainable farming, soil health and water conservation are key fundamentals to restoring earth’s lands and increasing the resiliency of our global food supply. STEMconnector ebook contributor, Ronda Hamm knows this all too well. Ronda is the Global Academic Relations Leader for Corteva Agriscience, a major agriscience company completely dedicated to agriculture. Here’s what she told STEMconnector about STEM and the role of agriculture in addressing climate change.

Q. What is Coreva Agriscience doing to address climate change and meet the food needs of the global population?

A. Corteva Agriscience has announced a set of sustainability goals to achieve by 2030 to increase the resilience of our global food system. These goals are designed to benefit farmers, the land, our communities, and our operations, and include focused targets such as aiming to enable farmers to sustainably increase crop yields by 20 percent while also reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 20 percent and working to provide training to 25 million farmers on soil health, nutrient and water stewardship, and productivity best practices.

Q. How important is biodiversity in agriculture. What is Corteva Agriscience doing to promote it?

A. Biodiversity is the foundation of agriculture and our food system. It enhances soil health, habitats, biological pest control, erosion resistance, and the prevention of runoff into waterways. One example of how Corteva Agriscience is working to maintain biodiversity is the Corteva Grows Pollinator Habitat initiative. This initiative supports monarch butterfly and pollinator habitat at our locations throughout the U.S. Through this program, Corteva Agriscience engages 4-H youth to help increase pollinator habitats and populations, supporting biodiversity. The sites will be used to educate students on the benefits of pollinators and their habitats, and grow youth with awareness, passion and skills to be responsible stewards of our planet for generations to come.

To learn more about Corteva Agriscience, click here.

Special thanks to STEMconnector for sharing this article.

Save the Date! October 8-9, 2021

Delaware Mathematics and

STEM Equity Virtual Conferences

Two Powerful Days of Professional Learning Dedicated to Equity in Math and STEM

The October 8th Math Equity and October 9th STEM Equity Conferences support K-20 STEM educators, administrators, business leaders, government officials, and non-profit stakeholders committed to addressing issues of access and equity in STEM. Across the two days, participants will have focused opportunities to explore best practices, problem solve shared classroom and systems-based challenges, and celebrate STEM equity success stories.

Conference sessions will focus on a range of highly relevant topics: redefining students’ mathematical identities, building the role of data science in school mathematics, coaching for equity, teaching math for social justice, leading school and district level equity-focused reform, amplifying student voice in the math classroom, dismantling structures that perpetuate racism and segregation, promoting equitable classroom practices, positioning English Language Learners for success, the “M” in STEM for business, and addressing systemic challenges of equity in education and the community.

October 8th Math Equity Virtual Conference

Featured speakers include Dr. Michael Flynn (Mt. Holyoke College), Dr. Nicol Lee Turner (Center for Technology Innovation), Dr. Ilana Horn (Vanderbilt University), Dr. Brian Lawler (Kennesaw State University), Kristin Gray (Math Minds), Berkeley Everett (VISUAL Math), and other highly respected mathematics education speakers.

October 9th STEM Equity Virtual Conference

Featured speakers include Dr. Basaam Shakhashiri (University of Wisconsin), Dr. Jo Boaler (Stanford University), STEM Queen Jackie Means (Wilmington Urban STEM Initiative), and other notable STEM leaders in Delaware and at the national level.

Click below to Register for either Conference.

Upon registering, you will also have the option to attend BOTH conferences for $40.

OCT 8 - Math Equity $25

OCT 9 - STEM Equity $25

For an event flyer or to be a sponsor, click here.

Event hosted by:

Delaware Mathematics Coalition, Delaware Department of Education,

Delaware Foundation for Science and Mathematics Education,

Delaware STEM Council, & FAME

Application Materials must be received by September 1, 2021

Delaware STEM Educator Awards

recognize a teacher, or team of teachers at

Elementary (K-5), Middle (6-8), and High School (9-12) levels

who demonstrate STEM innovation and excellence through

teaching, academic collaboration, and student engagement.

Cash Awards up to $7,500!

Winners at each level are eligible for a cash award up to $7,500

in recognition of their commitment to STEM

in Delaware and the success of our students.

Winners will be honored November 4, 2021

at the 7th Annual Delaware STEM Educator Awards Event.

The Delaware STEM Educator Community Award

Are you a STEM Educator but might not fit into the usual K-12 description?

The Delaware STEM Educator Community Award offers recognition and funding.

This award is open to organizations that coordinate STEM activities

for youth in grades P-12 that typically, but not exclusively,

take place outside the school environment such as afterschool

and organizations that are essentially non-traditional.

For more information and to download Application and Instructions:

For questions or to contact an Awards coordinator, please email DelawareSTEMawards@gmail.com.

Submissions must be received by October 1, 2021

The Jon Manon 2021 STEAM Team Education Award

The Jon Manon STEAM Team Education Award is presented annually by DFSME to recognize a team of teachers who have collaborated within their school to achieve outstanding accomplishments, not possible without coordinated team planning and execution. The Award recognizes team collaboration within the school; administrative support for collective, interdisciplinary activities; and unique opportunities for students.

The Award recognizes the roles of the team members and provides a cash award of $1,000 for the team. This supports projects and publicizes to the school, district leadership, and the state the success of the team, showing how the STEAM education of their students has been improved to make them more competitive in the future Delaware STEM workforce.

To fill out an easy form for the submission of a project, click here.

For more information about the submission of a project, please contact Steve Schwartz at drses48@aol.com or Michelle Kutch at Michelle.Kutch@bsd.k12.de.us.

Food & Ag by the Numbers

$3.2 Trillion

The full annual cost of the US food system, including producing, processing, retailing, and wholesaling the food as well as health care for diet-related diseases and contributions to water and air pollution, reduced biodiversity, and greenhouse gas emissions, according to a Rockefeller Foundation report, True Cost of Food Measuring What Matters to Transform the U.S. Food System.

– C&EN / CEN.ACS.org / August 2, 2021

September 21, 2021 - 3:30PM

STEM Educators Network

Stephen Pruitt: Building Classroom Culture and Teacher Relationships

STEM Educators Network instructs professional development for STEM teachers,

leverages resources and knowledge, and advocates science, STEM and equity to all shareholders.

Please register in advance for this zoom meeting. To register, click here.

Save the Date! October 2-3, 2021

Coast Day Lewes, Delaware

Coast Day showcases how University of Delaware scientists, staff, and students

are improving our understanding of ocean environments and serve coastal communities.

Attendees interact with researchers, tour ships, try hands-on activities,

and attend presentations on a range of topics.

For more information and to register, click here.

Save the Date! October 8-9, 2021

Delaware Mathematics & STEM Equity Virtual Conferences

Day 1: Delaware Math Equity Conference

“Redefining Mathematical Identities and

Creating Positive Memorable Experiences for All Learners”

To register for October 8, click here.

Day 2: Delaware STEM Equity Conference

“What Does STEM Equity Really Look Like in the Classroom?”

To register for October 9 conference, click here.

Upon registering, you will have the option to register for BOTH days for $40.

Save the Date! October 13, 2021 1PM - 4PM

Million Women Mentors Annual Summit 2021

Join the Movement to Champion Women and Girls in STEM

Stay Tuned for Details of this Virtual Event.

October 14, 2021

Inspiring Women in STEM Conference 2021

The leading professional development and networking event in Delaware designed

to encourage, support and inspire women in all aspects of STEM in their professional lives – including industrial and government scientists and engineers, academic researchers, STEM educators,

college students, and entrepreneurs.

To register, click here .

Save the Date! November 4, 2021

7th Annual Delaware STEM Educator Awards

Live Zoom Event at Buena Vista Country Estate in New Castle, Delaware.

Our sponsors, elected officials, in collaboration with the hosts,

will preside over awards honoring winners at the

Elementary School (K-5), Middle School (6-8) and High School (9-12) levels.

For information, click here.