Meeting Current and Future Challenges: Expanding Ag Sciences Technician Training

哈特内尔学院的国家科学基金会高级技术教育（ATE）计划将通过实施食品安全技术人员计划和种子科学技术人员计划来推进和扩大农业科学技术人员培训。到第三年，每个新项目将招收35名学生；达到80%的持久率；每年至少有125名高中生参与项目活动。它将通过以下方式实施：统一的、清晰的和新的课程；加强中学课程；新教师;强烈的推广;实践研讨会;广泛的行业伙伴关系；学术咨询;组/学习社区;指导老师;行业实习;学术及学生支援服务；产业网络;专业发展;和评估。该项目将通过以下方式解决世界上最具生产力的农业区之一当前和未来的关键需求：在现有项目和基础设施的基础上，开发两个高技能、高要求的农业科学技术人员项目，以满足当前的行业短缺；使用修改后的2+2结构将项目与高中联系起来，并提供大学转学选项；帮助行业更好地应对不断变化的环境和监管条件；以高技能科学、技术、工程和数学（STEM）技术人员培训项目的成功ATE模式为基础；帮助国家提高食品生产和食品安全能力；为低收入、代表性不足的人群提供STEM职业机会。该项目将有助于认识和理解有效的方法，以提高低收入和代表性不足的学生在STEM方面的成绩。项目评估研究将使用数据分析，得出项目有效性的定性和定量数据和评估。这将支持适应和复制。

Hartnell College's NSF Advanced Technological Education (ATE) program will advance and expand agricultural sciences technician training by implementing a food safety technician program and seed science technician program. The project will enroll 35 students in each new program by year three; achieve an 80 percent persistence rate; and engage at least 125 high school students per year through participation in program activities. It will be implemented through: aligned, articulated and new curricula; secondary school program enhancement; new faculty; intense outreach; hands-on workshops; extensive industry partnerships; academic counseling; cohorts/learning communities; faculty mentors; industry internships; academic and student support services; industry networking; professional development; and evaluation.The project will address critical current and future needs in one of the world's most productive agricultural regions by: building on current programs and infrastructure to develop two high skill, high demand agricultural science technician programs that will meet current industry shortages; linking the project to high schools using a modified 2+2 structure, with a university transfer option; helping industry better respond to changing environmental and regulatory conditions; building on successful ATE models for high skill science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) technician training programs; helping the nation improve its food production and food safety capabilities; and providing access to STEM careers for a largely low income, underrepresented population. The project will contribute to the knowledge and understanding of effective methods to improve low income and underrepresented student achievement in STEM. The project evaluation study will use data analytics resulting in qualitative and quantitative data on, and assessment of, program effectiveness. This will support adaptation and replication.