Creating an Agriculture Workforce Pipeline of STEM Technicians Trained in Water Analysis

伊利诺伊州是一个农业州，相关商品每年产生数十亿美元的收入。伊利诺伊州商业和经济机会部(DCEO)的经济计划强调将投资于研究和创新作为其指导优先事项之一，重点是农业和农业企业。受过水质分析培训并能为伊利诺伊州农民提供重要信息的干管技术人员需求旺盛，这种需求预计将继续下去。然而，大规模农业生产的一个后果是农田养分损失，因为雨水将化肥径流到当地水道，导致墨西哥湾的缺氧。伊利诺伊州中央学院(ICC)的NSF ATE项目旨在发展伊利诺伊州的经济和劳动力，同时解决农田养分流失带来的环境和健康问题。该项目将创建一支STEM技术人员管道，以满足地区雇主的需求，并通过为伊利诺伊州减少养分损失战略(INLRS)生成数据来测量农田径流中的氮和磷，从而为科学研究做出贡献。ICC的项目将通过以下方式实现这些目标：1)提高学生进行科学实验的熟练程度，提高学生对STEM技术员职业的认识；以及2)生成和共享支持保护和水质的科学数据和农业战略。该项目将为学生提供进行科学实验的实践经验，并通过改进的课程设置和以工作为基础的学习活动，为他们进入STEM技术员队伍做好更好的准备。在三年的时间里，55名学生将成功地利用仪器进行水样分析，其中20名学生展示了对INLRS以及营养损失对健康和环境影响的认识增强。作为该项目的一部分，被选中的学生将参加与行业合作伙伴的实习，预计部分学生将在副学士学位完成后六个月内在STEM技术员工作中找到工作。此外，该项目将通过以下方式提高学生对STEM和农业教育及就业机会的认识：1)每年通过农业展示和田间日吸引约200名高中学生和教师；2)向高中教师和大学教师提供STEM教学策略方面的专业发展；以及3)为ICC的指导顾问、顾问和职业顾问提供以STEM为重点的专业发展。外部评估者将评估学生作为入门STEM技术人员的准备情况，以及具体农业保护做法的科学效力。该项目的结果和数据将通过伊利诺伊州可持续农业伙伴关系、伊利诺伊州玉米种植者协会和全国玉米种植者协会在区域内传播，并将在伊利诺伊州职业农业教师协会会议上公布。项目成果将通过社区大学农业促进联盟和国家科学基金会ATE会议在全国范围内传播。该项目由高级技术教育计划资助，该计划专注于为推动国家经济的先进技术领域培养技术人员。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

Illinois is an agricultural state with related commodities generating billions of dollars annually. The economic plan of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) emphasizes investing in research and innovation as one of its guiding priorities, with a focus on agriculture and agri-business. STEM technicians trained in water quality analysis and who can provide vital information to Illinois farmers are in high demand, and this demand is expected to continue. A consequence of large-scale agricultural production, however, is field nutrient loss as rain carries fertilizer run-off into local waterways, contributing to hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico. The NSF ATE project at Illinois Central College (ICC) is designed to grow the Illinois economy and workforce while addressing environmental and health concerns generated by farmland nutrient loss. This project will create a pipeline of STEM technicians to meet the demands of regional employers, as well as contribute to scientific research by generating data for the Illinois’ Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy (INLRS) to measure nitrogen and phosphorous field runoff. ICC’s project will accomplish these goals by: 1) improving student proficiency in conducting scientific experimentation and increasing student awareness of STEM technician careers; and 2) generating and sharing scientific data and agricultural strategies to support conservation and water quality.This project will provide students with hands-on experience in conducting scientific experimentation and will better prepare them to enter the STEM technician workforce via enhanced course curricula and work-based learning activities. Over three years, 55 students will successfully utilize instrumentation for water sample analysis with 20 of those students demonstrating increased awareness of the INLRS and the health and environmental impacts of nutrient loss. As part of the project, selected students will participate in internships with industry partners, and it is anticipated that a subset of students will secure employment in STEM technician jobs within six months of associate degree completion. Additionally, this project will increase awareness of STEM and agriculture education and career opportunities for students by: 1) engaging approximately 200 high school students and teachers annually through an Agricultural Showcase and Field Day; 2) delivering professional development to high school teachers and college faculty on STEM teaching-learning strategies; and 3) providing STEM-focused professional development to guidance counselors, advisors, and career counselors at ICC. External evaluators will assess student preparedness as entry-level STEM technicians as well as the scientific efficacy of specific agricultural conservation practices. Results and data from this project will be disseminated regionally through the Illinois Sustainable Ag Partnership, the Illinois Corn Growers Association, the INLRS, and will be presented at the Illinois Association of Vocational Agricultural Teachers conference. Project results will be nationally disseminated through the Community College Alliance for Agricultural Advancement and through NSF ATE conferences. This project is funded by the Advanced Technological Education program that focuses on the education of technicians for the advanced-technology fields that drive the Nation’s economy.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.