Ag Knowledge The National Center for Agriscience & Technology Education

AGTEC是一个国家伙伴关系，正在提高农业技术毕业生的数学、科学和技术能力，这些毕业生正在为支持世界上最高效和最可持续的食品和纤维生产的职业生涯做准备。柯克伍德社区学院与合作的大学、中学和大学一起，在农业行业的愿景指导下，正在将作为国家典范的精选农业技术教育项目的改进制度化。为了实现这一愿景，AGTEC将重点放在三个领域的活动上：课程开发、教师发展和能力建设。每个活动领域的具体方向每年都由一个关键问题会议确定。会议分组会议解决需求并确定年度项目的成果。项目由一个牵头伙伴小组完成，然后在接下来的几年里由所有适当的合作伙伴制度化。年度会议还讨论了三个主要活动领域的最佳做法，因为改进是制度化的。在课程开发方面，中心是(A)界定农业商业/服务、农业生产、农业科学和先进农业技术方面的高级技术职业，并确定在这些领域进入职业生涯的学生所需的知识和技能能力；(B)验证和改进现有课程，并开发由新兴技术和影响21世纪农业的关键问题驱动的新课程；该中心还通过(A)为大学和高中教师举办讲习班，以加强他们使用和应用新技术、课程和电子资源的技能；(B)协调农业研究中心和工业领域的教师实习；(C)在四年制学院和大学中确定和推广示范农业教师教育计划，以帮助发展教师的专业知识；以及(D)通过一对一的指导和技术援助，帮助合作学院和高中整合高等数学、科学和技术。为了帮助建设能力，该中心和合作大学正在通过确定和实施成功的招聘和保留模式，招收以前被拒绝接受高级农业技术教育的学生。该中心正在维护一个全国性的电子资源和报告交换中心，供全国教育机构用于项目改进，并促进高中、两年制和四年制学院和大学之间的2+2+2衔接。由领先农业企业组成的工业理事会、由领先大学农业项目组成的大学理事会以及由社区学院、大学和次级农业项目组成的当地团队正在提供持续的援助。

AgTEC, a National Partnership, is improving the mathematics, science, and technical competencies of agriculture technology graduates who are preparing for careers that support the most efficient and sustainable food and fiber production in the world. Kirkwood Community College with partner colleges, secondary schools, and universities, guided by the vision of the agriculture industry, is institutionalizing improvements in select agriculture technology education programs that serve as models for the nation. To accomplish this vision, AgTEC is focusing on three areas of activity: curriculum development, faculty development and capacity building. Specific directions in each of these activity areas are being determined annually by a Critical Issues Conference. Conference breakout sessions address needs and establish outcomes for annual projects. Projects are being accomplished by a team of lead partners and then institutionalized, in following years, by all appropriate partners. The annual conferences also address best practices in the three primary areas of activity as improvements are institutionalized.In curriculum development, the center is (a) defining advanced technological careers in Agriculture Business/Services, Agriculture Production, Agriculture Science and Advanced Agriculture Technology, and identifying the knowledge and skill competencies required by students entering careers in these fields; (b) validating and enhancing existing curriculum and developing new curriculum driven by emerging technologies and critical issues influencing 21st century agriculture; and (c) developing all courses/modules with strong science, mathematics, and technical skill components.The center is also helping to develop faculty expertise by (a) hosting workshops for college and high school instructors to strengthen their skills in using and applying new technology, curriculum, and electronic resources; (b) coordinating instructor internships at agricultural research centers and in industry; (c) identifying and promoting model agriculture teacher education programs at four-year colleges and universities; and (d) assisting partner colleges and high schools to integrate advanced mathematics, science and technology through one-on-one mentoring and technical assistance.To help build capacity, the center and partner colleges are enrolling students previously denied access to advanced Agriculture Technology Education by identifying and implementing successful recruitment and retention models. The Center is maintaining a national clearinghouse of electronic resources and reports to be used by the nation's educational institutions for program improvement and facilitating 2 + 2 + 2 articulation between high schools, two-year and four-year colleges and universities. Ongoing assistance is being provided by an Industry Council of leading agri-businesses, a University Council of leading university agriculture programs, and local teams of community colleges, universities, and secondary agriculture programs.