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。伊利诺伊州商业和经济机会部（DCEO）的经济计划强调投资于研究和创新作为其指导优先事项之一，重点是农业和农业综合企业。受过水质分析培训的STEM技术人员以及能够为伊利诺伊州农民提供重要信息的技术人员需求量很大，预计这种需求将继续下去。然而，大规模农业生产的一个后果是农田养分流失，因为雨水将化肥带入当地水道，导致墨西哥湾缺氧。伊利诺伊中央学院（ICC）的NSF ATE项目旨在促进伊利诺伊州经济和劳动力的发展，同时解决农田养分流失产生的环境和健康问题。该项目将创建一个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的减少营养流失战略（INLRS）生成数据来测量氮和磷的田间径流，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能力，提高学生对STEM技术人员职业的认识;以及2）生成和共享科学数据和农业策略，以支持保护和水质。该项目将为学生提供动手-在进行科学实验的经验，并将更好地准备他们进入干技术人员队伍通过增强课程和工作为基础的学习活动。在三年内，55名学生将成功地利用仪器进行水样分析，其中20名学生展示了对国际参考标准以及营养流失对健康和环境影响的认识。作为该项目的一部分，选定的学生将参加与行业合作伙伴的实习，预计一部分学生将在副学士学位完成后的六个月内获得STEM技术人员的工作。此外，该项目还将通过以下方式提高学生对STEM和农业教育以及就业机会的认识：1）每年通过农业展示和实地考察日吸引约200名高中学生和教师; 2）为高中教师和大学教师提供STEM教学策略的专业发展;和3）提供STEM为重点的专业发展，以指导顾问，顾问和职业顾问在ICC。外部评估人员将评估学生作为入门级STEM技术人员的准备情况以及特定农业保护实践的科学有效性。该项目的结果和数据将通过伊利诺伊州可持续农业合作伙伴关系、伊利诺伊州玉米种植者协会、INLRS在区域范围内传播，并将在伊利诺伊州职业农业教师协会会议上发表。项目成果将通过社区学院农业发展联盟和NSF ATE会议在全国范围内传播。该项目由先进技术教育计划资助，该计划侧重于推动国家经济的先进技术领域的技术人员的教育。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力价值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.